O McDonalds is the most famous fast food chain in the world. But do you know when the snack bar chain arrived in Brazil? Although the brand has existed in the United States since the 1940s, the first restaurant in Brazil was only opened in 1979.
Since then, the Golden Arches store has gained prominence and a legion of people in love with the famous sandwicheswith french fries and soda.
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In 1979, Brazil had a good economic moment and gained international prominence. At the time, Peter Rodenbeck, a naturalized Brazilian businessman, decided to invest in a revolutionary snack restaurant. So he founded the chain's first store McDonalds on Rua Hilário de Gouveia, in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro.
In an interview with the Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants (Abrasel), Rodenbeck said that one of his inspirations was the Bob’s fast food chain:
“At that time the Bob's already operated in Rio de Janeiro for more than 20 years. The product names were American: milkshake, sundae, hamburger. The way of operating was different, but the basic products demonstrated full acceptance by the consumer. The readiness of the Rio square, at least, was quite apparent.”
With the success of the first cafeteria, the businessman opened the second unit in São Paulo, in 1981, on Avenida Paulista.
However, it was only in 1987 that McDonald's became a franchise in the country and the first store in this model was opened in Brasília.
(Image: Twitter @orioantigo/Reproduction)
For Rodenbeck, the arrival of the fast food chain in Brazil represented a major change in consumption. Since the consumer has learned a new way to eat quickly away from home, without a knife or fork.
Currently, McDonald's do Brasil has been managed by the company Arcos Dourados since 2007. The company is responsible for 1,020 restaurants, 75 McCafés and 2,010 kiosks spread across the four corners of the country.
McDonald’s unit 1,000 was even inaugurated on Avenida Paulista, in São Paulo, in a historic mansion in the city.
It is estimated that more than 50,000 people are employed by the company. In addition, the chain also has units in other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Thus, the first McDonald's store in Brazil represents a successful investment in most consumed snacks by Brazilians.