Dr. George T. Yang
Celebrating his birthday tomorrow, September 12, McDonald's Philippines Founder, Chairman and Master Franchise Holder, Dr. George T. Yang is truly an icon in business leadership. He was able to build a strong franchise and expand McDonald's presence nationwide, becoming a benchmark in the quick-service industry by setting the standards on food quality, progressive people practices, service and convenience for Filipino customers for 40 years.
From the first McDonald's in the Philippines that opened in 1981 along the busy street of Morayta – which he remembers was filled with customers on opening day, quickly followed by an outlet at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao – the popular fast food chain has over 650 stores nationwide today, wherein 51 percent of the stores are owned and operated by his Golden Arches Development Corporation (GADC), while the remaining 49 percent are owned by independent franchisees.