O McDonald's anunciou agora pela manhã, nos EUA, que o grupo liderado peo colombiano Woods Staton, Master-Franqueado da marca na Argentina e também controlador da rede de sorveterias Freddo, ganhou a parada e ficou com o super-master-franqueado McDonald's para toda a América Latina e Caribe pelos próximos 20 anos. Ou seja: vai cuidar, como franqueador ou operador, de cerca de 1.600 lanchonetes da marca.
O valor da transação, inicialmente estimado em até US$ 1,6 Bilhão, acabou ficando em US$ 700 Milhões.
Para os franqueados brasileiros da marca, tudo vai depender muito de quem será o Presidente da operação em nosso país. Há boatos de que um ex-franqueado do próprio McDonald's poderia assumir o cargo. Outras pessoas falam num possível retorno de Greg Ryan. O tempo dirá.
Transcrição da fala do CEO da McDonald's Corporation, numa apresentação feita agora cedo a investidores, jornalistas e analistas de investimento, em Oak Brook, EUA, onde fica a sede da Corporação:
"I’m also pleased to announce that we reached an agreement that will result in the franchising of nearly 1,600 existing restaurants in Latin America and the Caribbean to a developmental licensee organization led by Woods Staton. Woods is a highly respected entrepreneur in Latin America who has been a valued member of the McDonald’s System for more than 20 years. As part of this transaction, McDonald’s expects to receive approximately $700 million in cash proceeds from the sale of these operations, which will be coupled with a 20-year license arrangement. In line with our previous guidance, we expect to record an impairment charge of approximately $1.6 billion in the second quarter, which consists of about $800 million for the difference between the net book value of assets and the estimated cash proceeds, as well as $825 million for accumulated currency translation losses. The charge will be substantially all noncash. We anticipate the transaction to close in the next few months.
“For our customers and the McDonald’s System, this transaction enables us to grow faster and become even more locally relevant in a part of the world that has exhibited strong demand for our Brand. For our shareholders, the strategic actions we’re taking will reduce volatility and further solidify our commitment to generate strong returns and focus management’s attention on the markets with the greatest impact on our results. We will use the proceeds received to increase the amount we expect to return to shareholders to at least $5.7 billion in 2007 and 2008 combined through dividends and share repurchases.
“Our priority remains to create long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. I am confident that the collective strength and alignment of McDonald’s franchisees, suppliers and employees will continue to fuel our efforts and ensure that we sustain our momentum.”
