McDonald's Sarinah Is Permanently Closed, Management Ensures No Layoffs

Illustration. (Photo: McDonald's Indonesia)

JAKARTA - The management of McDonald's Indonesia said that it would permanently close its first outlet in Indonesia. The closure of this outlet was not due to the wishes of the management, but at the request of the Sarinah building manager. However, it can be ascertained that there are no layoffs (PHK) of employees who work there.

McD Sarinah is the first McDonald's restaurant in Indonesia and has been a historical icon in Jakarta for nearly 30 years.

Director of Marketing Communications, Digital and CBI McDonald's Indonesia Michael Hartono said that employees who work at McD Sarinah Thamrin will not be terminated (PHK). However, they will be relocated to a restaurant in another location.

"With the closing of the Sarinah Thamrin McDonald's restaurant, McDonald's ensures that all employees who have been working at the restaurant will keep their jobs and be relocated to various other McDonald's restaurants," he said, in a written statement received by VOI, in Jakarta, Friday, May 8.

Michael said, after occupying a corner of the Sarinah Thamrin shopping center, Jakarta for decades, McDonald's will officially close the restaurant in Sarinah Thamrin permanently on Sunday, May 10, at 22.05 WIB.

"We did this at the request of the Sarinah building management through an official letter received by the management of McDonald's Indonesia on Friday, May 1," he said.

Based on a letter received by McDonald's management, said Michael, the Sarinah building management will carry out renovations and will make changes to the business strategy of the government-owned building.

"We realize this McDonald's restaurant in Sarinah Thamrin is one of our restaurants that is important and very historic, not only for us but also for our consumers. Not only because of its strategic location, but also because of the many memories that were created there," he explained.

To note, McDonald's was first opened in Sarinah Thamrin on February 14, 1991 and became the first McDonald's restaurant in Indonesia. After leaving Sarinah Thamrin in 2009, McDonald's managed to return to Sarinah Thamrin in 2011 through a tender process.

Until now, the fast food restaurant from the United States has around 227 outlets spread across various parts of Indonesia.

"We express our deepest gratitude to all of our loyal customers. For us, of course this event has a very deep impression because the history, memories and celebrations of various important events always take place at McDonald's Sarinah," he said.

As an alternative, continued Michael, consumers can visit restaurants closest to Sarinah such as McDonald's Hayam Wuruk, McDonald's Raden Saleh, McDonald's Cideng and McDonald's Central Plaza.

"We will continue to strive to provide the best to our consumers," he concluded.