McDonald's opens in Pangkalan Bun with local workforce and community drive

In a quiet corner of Central Kalimantan, a familiar golden arch has begun casting its glow. McDonald's Indonesia has officially opened its first outlet in the town of Pangkalan Bun - marking not just another pin on the map, but a step toward embedding itself into the rhythm of local communities outside Indonesia's major urban centres.

The new branch, located on Jalan Iskandar, is part of a broader expansion strategy by Rekso Nasional Food, the master franchisee of McDonald's in Indonesia. But beyond bricks and branding, the move signals a deeper intent: to tie corporate growth to local development.

"We want to grow alongside the people of Pangkalan Bun and become part of their daily lives," said Yunus Sharon, associate director of operations at Rekso Nasional Food. "McDonald's Indonesia is not just about quality food, but also about our commitment to supporting the local economy through new jobs, empowering small businesses, and creating warm, inclusive spaces for all."

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For a town better known for its proximity to Tanjung Puting's orangutan sanctuaries than modern fast food, the arrival of McDonald's presents both a novelty and a symbol of progress. Local authorities welcomed the move, seeing it as more than just a commercial venture.

"This will become an example of how modern public spaces can exist without erasing local identity," said Suyanto, deputy regent of Kotawaringin Barat. "More importantly, the restaurant brings new jobs, involves local suppliers, and strengthens our regional tax ecosystem."

So far, McDonald's Pangkalan Bun has hired 27 local employees - each having undergone intensive training to meet the chain's service standards. The branch will also open partnership opportunities with local vendors and service providers to support its daily operations.

For Astri Aulia, one of the new recruits, the job represents both economic stability and emotional fulfilment. "As someone born and raised in Pangkalan Bun, I'm grateful to finally work in a formal sector that matches my interests," she shared. "Now I can support my family and grow with McD without leaving my hometown."

The restaurant seats 156 and includes a musala, free Wi-Fi, a play area, a party room, and operates 24 hours. It also features self-ordering kiosks and digital ordering options, showing how the brand is adapting to changing customer habits.

"We see Pangkalan Bun as a town on the rise, full of potential," said Ratna Wirahadikusumah, director of store development group at Rekso Nasional Food. "Our presence here is not just about food - it's about offering a space for families and communities to gather, relax, and enjoy meaningful moments together."

To celebrate the launch, McDonald's also hosted a community outreach programme under its "Mekdi untuk Kemanusiaan" initiative - inviting local orphans for a shared meal and donating prayer rugs to a nearby mosque.

This opening takes McDonald's Indonesia to 318 locations nationwide. Since 2009, Rekso Nasional Food has held the master franchise agreement with McDonald's International Property Company, overseeing the brand's operations and expansion across Indonesia.

Most recently, McDonald's Indonesia has continued its social efforts - trading media buzz for bedtime stories by putting books, not billboards, at the centre of its latest community push. On 20 May, in partnership with community initiative Rumah Baca Zhaffa, the company marked National Book Day by hosting a hands-on literacy workshop for families in South Jakarta.

The event, part of the company's Inspirasi Literasi McD programme, focused on encouraging parents to reconnect with their children through books and storytelling. The workshop, titled Buku Pertamaku, Dunia Baruku (My First Book, My New World), was held at Rumah Baca Zhaffa - a modest community reading space founded by local literacy advocate Yudy Hartanto.

"Not all big changes are born on grand stages. I started Rumah Baca Zhaffa in a small room of my own house, because I believe every child deserves to dream," Hartanto said. "Books are how we bring the world to them. When McDonald's Indonesia supported us, it wasn't just collaboration - it was genuine care for the next generation."

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