Publications
Publications
- December 2020 (Revised April 2021)
- HBS Case Collection
Arcos Dorados: A QSR Recovery Plan
By: Forest Reinhardt, José B. Alvarez, Jenyfeer Martinez Buitrago and Mariana Cal
Abstract
Arcos Dorados—McDonald’s largest independent franchisee, covering Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)—faced a pandemic that was disrupting the entire consumer foodservice business in 2020. With the exclusive right to own, operate, and sub-franchise McDonald’s restaurants in LAC since 2007, the company served over 40 million customers a day at its almost 2,300 restaurants sprawled in 20 markets across LAC, reporting revenues of roughly $3 billion and $291.8 million EBITDA in 2019. Although results for 2020 had looked promising, in late March 2020, governments throughout the region implemented quarantine measures in response to a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), affecting the company’s normal operations. Forced to withdraw a previously approved 2020-2025 plan for restaurant openings and reinvestments, the company had to focus on a strategy to reduce the impact of the pandemic on the company’s finances. Based on its strengths vis-à-vis its competitors, Arcos Dorados’ recovery plan hinged on five pillars: i) McDonald’s restaurants’ reputation for people care and food safety; ii) the company’s capabilities to explore new channels for food purchasing and delivery; iii) McDonald’s good “value-for-money” perception; iv) a consolidated brand with unique offerings; and v) a sustainable-minded company, with initiatives underway to enhance its brand image. Once the crisis was contained, the company had to draft a new six-year plan, including capital outlays for restaurant openings and reinvestments. Given its current position and strengths against its competitors, should Arcos Dorados grasp this opportunity to pursue an aggressive growth plan? Or, considering the post-pandemic economic downturn expected in the region, should the company come up with a more conservative plan or even contemplate downsizing? How should the plan differ by country?
Keywords
Agribusiness; Animal-Based Agribusiness; Plant-Based Agribusiness; Customer Value and Value Chain; Income; Macroeconomics; Environmental Management; Environmental Sustainability; Cross-Cultural and Cross-Border Issues; Food; Health Pandemics; Crisis Management; Logistics; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Strategic Planning; Food and Beverage Industry; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Retail Industry; Latin America; Aruba; Guadeloupe; Martinique; Mexico; Panama; Costa Rica; Argentina; Brazil; Chile; Colombia; Ecuador; French Guiana; Peru; Uruguay; Venezuela; Puerto Rico; Trinidad and Tobago
Citation
Reinhardt, Forest, José B. Alvarez, Jenyfeer Martinez Buitrago, and Mariana Cal. "Arcos Dorados: A QSR Recovery Plan." Harvard Business School Case 721-023, December 2020. (Revised April 2021.)