TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - After serving millions of hungry stomachs for the past 29 years, McDonald's Sarinah - which is the American franchise’s first-ever branch in Indonesia - will be closing its doors permanently on May 10th.

The official announcement was published across multiple platforms by McDonald’s Indonesia marketing communications director Michael Hartono on Friday, May 8.

The McDonald’s Sarinah initially operated on February 23, 1991, before it moved to another location in 2009. The fast-food joint returned to its original location at the heart of the capital city back in 2011.

However, news about its closure begs the question about the fate of its workers, especially amidst the current coronavirus pandemic.

This issue was addressed by Michael Hartono who assures the public that company management will not be laying off its workers. “We will keep the current workforce where they will be relocated to other McDonald's outlets,” said the spokesman in a written statement earlier today.

He also explained that the closure is due to the request from building management, in this case, the Gedung Sarinah management, which says it will conduct a complete renovation and apply new business strategies for the future.

Responding to the public’s concerns voiced in multiple social platforms, the spokesman encouraged customers to instead visit nearby McDonald’s restaurants located at Hayam Wuruk, Raden Saleh, Cideng, and Central Plaza.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA