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Global restaurant chain McDonald's celebrated the opening of its Food Studio and Quality Centre in North Point, Hong Kong today (June 6). The new facility is the centre for quality and food standards operations for over 35 markets and the development of new foods for the Asia, Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) region.
Another demonstration of the company's commitment to Asia is the relocation to Hong Kong of Mr Tim Fenton, McDonald's President for Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA). He has also brought with him key members of his management team.
Mr Fenton said, "We are very excited about McDonald's latest development in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a trading city, with excellent transportation and logistics infrastructure. This allows us to send food items in and out of Hong Kong efficiently and conveniently for quality assurance. At the same time, Hong Kong's central location makes it a great place to meet and train.
"China is one of the fastest growing and most important markets for McDonald's. By basing ourselves in Hong Kong -- one of the international cities of China -- we can stay close to the rapidly expanding market."
According to Mr Fenton, Hong Kong is the third global location chosen by McDonald's for its Food and Quality Assurance Studios. Similar facilities are located near Chicago (US) and Paris.
The Studios in Hong Kong will cover 35 countries across 16 time zones -- including all of Asia-Pacific, South Africa and the Middle East.
McDonald's APMEA markets will continue to develop ideas for different products. The food studio in Hong Kong will be where those ideas can be brought to life, producing new products that can be introduced across international markets.
Initially, at least 12 full-time employees will operate the studios. They will include a chef to help develop new foods and tastes, and a nutritionist to ensure the proper dietary balance of the foods.
The new facility is equipped with two full-sized restaurant kitchens, one chef's development kitchen, two function rooms, four meeting rooms, additional office space, food tasting booths for six, a translator booth and meeting places for focus groups.
The Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mike Rowse, visited the studios today. He welcomed McDonald's expansion in Hong Kong and the expansion of its APMEA headquarters in the city.
He said, "The establishment of your regional food and quality studios here reinforces McDonald's long-term commitment to Hong Kong. This has been demonstrated by your continued investment and expansion in our city over the past 30 years and your support for local charities. Long-term investors like McDonald's do not just create employment opportunities for our workforce. By choosing Hong Kong as their regional base, these investors bring new ideas and knowledge from different markets to our city -- helping make Hong Kong a centre for excellence."
Mr Rowse wished McDonald's every success in its future business development.
Ends/Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:33
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