In 1974, José María Cofiño opened the first McDonald’s restaurant in Mesoamerica, located in Guatemala. His wife, Yolanda Fernández de Cofiño, joined the company a few year later, turning a family business into a benchmark for good practice and innovation in the fast food industry.
Due to a successful operational record, in 2006 acquired McDonald’s Honduras & Nicaragua and in 2009 the business of El Salvador, becoming McDonald’s Mesoamerica.
Innovation and teamwork skills are recognized globally, and have earned the highest awards inside McDonald’s Corporation such as:
• Golden arches: recognition awarded twice for qualifying McDonald's Mesoamerica restaurants as Triple "A" under Quality, Service and Cleanliness standards.
• First Silver Ronald: Awarded for implementing children's parties, which are currently celebrated around the world.
• Second Silver Ronald: awarded for designing the concept of Happy Meal – “Cajita Feliz”
• Third Silver Ronald: For the operational excellence and high-quality standards, making outstanding contributions to the brand's image.