I'm Forever Young because of George Yang



The Man behind Mc Do: Pinoys won't taste Big Mac and Happy Meal without him; thanks to you, George Yang



In my younger years, I grew up eating fast food favorites like burgers, fries, fried chicken and spaghetti. I still remember when my parents used to bring me to this fast food giant right after every Sunday church. As a kid, I was the king of their play ground! I've enjoyed countless of their birthday parties and even got afraid of this clown-like mascot who wears big red shoes that matches his wide red lips. When I reached my high school and college years, this fast food chain became my third home (next to school) where my friends and I used to hangout after classes. The walls and windows of this food chain had seen me grow as a student, working on my school projects and also flirting with girls on dates (the best dating hub for students.haha!). I'm sure like any other student today, school life would not be so much fun without Mc Donald's.

Now that I'm all grown up but still young at heart, Mc Donald's still plays a big part of my life. Every human being on this planet may have the same or variety of stories to share about their Mc Donald's experience and I'm sure that its would be all about fun. Mc Donald's history in the Philippines didn’t start with all smiles. The man who brought that American favorite chain to Manila, George Yang started his Mc Donald's dream with so much of failure but with his undying passion and determination to win; “Mc Do” as fondly calls by Pinoys is now part of our social history.

In his early years of marriage with wife, Kristine; the couple worked hard together in various ventures. George began his career in marketing working at a tobacco company while doing side jobs, such as selling insurance, nicotine guards and cosmetics. Not only that, he also taught finance and marketing management classes at De La Salle University while Kristine focused on cigarette filters and jewelry business. Because of the success of the Yang's jewelry line called “Kristine”, George immediately got interested into a bigger business enterprise of bringing Mc Donald's in to our local shores. Mc Donald's was a fast growing American food brand then, being franchised to many countries. And so he expressed his interest of bringing it here through a letter sent to the main office in the United States. But unfortunately the first attempt resulted to a decline response in 1974. During that time, Mc Donald's headquarters was not ready to expand in the Philippines but in George's perception it was the other way around. Just to prove that we were ready to prosper a quick service restaurant, he sent numerous clippings of our economic reviews to the mother office attached with personal letters just to say hello expressing that they didn't forget about his intent.

Kitakits sa Mc Do kase Love ko to! George Yang sits with Ronald Mc Donald

The Mc Donald's dream was close to a reality when a group of executives from the main office visited Manila for a possible business expansion in 1976. Bigwigs from local well established companies also expressed interest in Mc Donald's but it never stopped George from backing out from his pitch for the brand's franchise. When it was he's turn to impress the big bosses from the U.S, a tour around Metro Manila's bustling commercial hubs took place. While on the road in an old borrowed Mercedes Benz, the car broke down in the middle of the street. Tropical heat went inside the vehicle and the visitors started to experience a dose of inconvenience. Despite of that unexpected embarrassment, George remained relax and told his guests that if they were on hunt for a long-term business partner, that partner must be ready to roll up his sleeves and do the work in good times and in bad. He was so honest about his intentions by presenting his capacities, business plans and even his family members. Powered with great determination to get that big yes from Mc Donald's management team, George Yang and his then, 15 year old son Kenneth worked as crew members in a Hong Kong branch after that unforgettable incident. They learned about so much of the brand's working environment from preparing french fries and Big Macs, mopping floors, cleaning tables to manning the counters through an arranged voluntary immersion.

The father and son work experience in a Hong Kong branch even reached the U.S main office that probably added plus points to George's bid. After a long process of choosing the man for the Philippine franchise, George Yang finally received the much awaited “yes” and “congratulations” in 1980. The first ever local Mc Donald's store opened its doors in Morayta, Manila that made headlines. Additional stores followed in Cubao and Greenhills, where the first drive thru outlet was experience. For over 30 years of existence in the Philippines, Mc Donald's created unforgettable product innovations, advertisements and services such as Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Burger Mc Do, Apple pie, Chicken Mc Do, 24 hour delivery's 8-MCDO, Mc Cafe, Kiddie Crew program, birthday party packages and who won't forget getting a “Happy Meal”. At present, The Yang's do not only takes pride of the Mc Donald's brand. George has also invested in real estate while his children, Kenneth (who is the current main man of Mc Do Philippines), Richie, Kristopher and Karen followed his entrepreneurial footsteps in developing their own brands. Rising food chains' Superbowl, Big Buddha, Chili's and licensing enterprise Fun Characters (Walt Disney/ Marvel Comics); Mint Brands (Cartoon Network) are all part of the Yang's business portfolio.

Father and Son success: George and Kenneth Yang worked as crew members in Mc Donald's Hongkong. They learned preparing Big Macs and fries, mopping floors, cleaning tables and manning the counters.

When asked about George's proudest achievement in Mc Donald's, he said that “Mc Do was able to change the perception about people working in restaurants. People from all walks of life work side by side, and command respect, following the higher standards we set on cleanliness, service , values and how to treat people.” He takes pride that many of his former employees end up becoming entrepreneurs, restauranteurs, hoteliers and investment bankers. Many could honestly say that George's journey with Mc Donald's has reached continuous success. “ Success is not measured not only by how much you have accumulated but how much also you have given back. Whatever charitable thing you're doing, that's compassion. Helping people is compassion.” Those words by George brings a reality as he fully supports Mc Donald's global charity program for childcare’s welfare called Ronald Mc Donald's House Charities. The foundation provides out-most assistance in health and education in the country. Few years back, the organization collaborated with Department of Education for the Bright Minds Read program that aims to uplift Filipino children literacy.

George Yang exemplifies the true Filipino spirit of being determined, focused, ambitious and compassionate. He has so much of faith and belief in the youth that led him in acquisition of Mc Donald's and developed other brands intended primarily for the youth. And now that he all gives back his success also for the youth, my personal admiration on him is now endless. So now you know the reason why we should visit Mc Donald's regularly. You get to enjoy the food and service while they give it back to those who needs it most. What else are you waiting for? 'Kita-kits' sa Mc Do kase 'Love ko to'. That makes me feel forever young; thanks to George Yang :-)

Adapted stories / excerpts from Tara FT Sering and Millet Mananquil.

Photos courtesy of The Philippine Star.