Business
American Samoa’s Big Mac Attack
One Year Later, Franchise Now Looking to Add Second Restaurant
One year after the American fast-food chain McDonald’s opened a franchise in American Samoa, local residents continue to flock to the restaurant and there is no evidence of waning customer interest. Indeed, business is so good, that owners are looking at opening a second restaurant.
McDonald’s is the only fast-food franchise in the territory, although Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is still searching for a site.
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There were those who believed that the massive crowds that flocked to McDonald’s American Samoa during the first two months after it opened on September 29, 2000 would get “sick of eating” at the restaurant.
“The non-believers based their opinion on the basis of another American franchise, Subway,” said Rep. Aina Sao Nua. “The success of McDonald’s worldwide and the fact that it’s ‘McDonald’s’ plays a key role in the success of McDonald’s American Samoa.”
Subway opened a restaurant in the territory in the early 1990s but it did not last, which led people to wonder how McDonald’s would do when the company made the decision to open in American Samoa. But McDonald’s hasn’t just survived. Governor Tauese Sunia along with business experts said stiff competition from McDonald’s has caused the closure or decline of business at other local restaurants.
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When McDonald’s celebrated its one-year anniversary at the end of September this year, it was estimated that close to 1,000 people packed the two-days of activities. McDonald’s even sent a Ronald McDonald to American Samoa. He conducted programs at the restaurant as well as visiting the pediatric ward at LBJ Hospital.
The American Samoa McDonald’s franchise is owned and operated by a local company, TRT Corporation, which is spearheaded by businessman Agaoleatu Charlie Tautolo. Agaoleatu (a chiefly title) is also a lawmaker in the American Samoa House of Representatives. He said that by 2 p.m. on its first day of business on September 29, 2000 — despite heavy rains — McDonald’s sold 2,500 Big Macs and served 2,600 customers.
He said the opening of McDonald’s here is a “dream come true” after years of planning. The restaurant employs about 100 local residents, 30 to 40 of whom are college students. McDonald’s has also contributed to a number of local organizations.
Agaoleatu is modest when it comes to commenting on the franchise’s sales success, saying only that it has been steady. Pacific Magazine understands from other sources, however, that sales at the local franchise in its first three months of business superseded the sales at McDonald’s in three other island countries.
With the continued increase in traffic, Agaoleatu said the company is now looking for a location to establish a second restaurant, which he hopes will be in the downtown area — although the location of the current McDonald’s about half a mile from the airport has done nothing to reduce its popularity.
The local franchise will also start introducing new meals on its menu and hopes to introduce breakfast by early next year. Agaoleatu says there are a lot of people asking about the famous McDonald’s breakfast.
Photo: Fili Sagapolutele
