Arcos Dorados seeks new partners to expand its charging network in Argentina

Arcos Dorados, the operator of the McDonald’s brand in Latin America, is advancing its sustainability strategy with a focus on electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Currently, it has eight branches in Argentina equipped with charging stations and plans to expand its coverage through new agreements with industry suppliers.

The long-term goal is for 100% of the outlets to be sustainable by 2030, which includes the incorporation of electric chargers at all locations.

In this regard, the company is opening the door to new market players to take its initiatives beyond the Greater Buenos Aires area.

“We are looking for other types of players in the market to offer a broader range in terms of coverage and presence, more at the provincial and interior level,” says Daniel Arenas, Corporate Manager of Social Commitment and Sustainable Development at Arcos Dorados for Latin America, in an interview with Mobility Portal Latinoamérica.

Arcos Dorados and Electromobility in Argentina

Arcos Dorados’ relationship with electric mobility began in December 2021, when the first charging point was inaugurated at a McDonald’s in Argentina, located at Av. Centenario 72, in San Isidro, Buenos Aires province.

The installation was made possible through an agreement with ChargeboxNet, the company that operates the largest charging station network in the country.

According to the agreed-upon strategic plan, the initial goal was to install 14 charging stations, with the potential to scale up to 30 operational points by 2025.

In this context, the chargers implemented are semi-fast with Type 2 sockets, capable of providing a 20% charge in about 45 minutes, allowing customers to recharge their vehicles while enjoying the brand’s products.

“We want McDonald’s to be a convenient place for people: to come and have a quality product and also integrate sustainable mobility into their daily life,” says Arenas, highlighting the complementarity between sustainability and customer experience.

Currently, the existing stations operate with an RFID system, connected to a remote management platform, allowing real-time monitoring of the chargers’ status.

This technology is provided by ChargeboxNet, although Arcos Dorados is already exploring additional partnerships to expand its national coverage.

Sustainability as a Roadmap

The focus on electric mobility is part of a broader environmental strategy driven by the company under the “Receta del Futuro” (Recipe of the Future) programme.

This includes not only the installation of chargers but also an energy transition towards the use of 100% renewable sources.

“We have self-generation projects with solar panels at restaurants, which coexist with the purchase of renewable energy. These are complementary models,” explains Arenas.

In Brazil, the company has signed an agreement with Energia Portugal to source energy through external solar farms.

Regarding performance, solar generation does not cover the total energy consumption of each restaurant.

“Depending on the available area, we reach up to 30% of consumption through self-generation,” says the executive.

Sustainable Fleet and Value Chain

In addition to investments in charging infrastructure, Arcos Dorados is working on renewing its own fleet. “We have transitioned to hybrid vehicles and those with lower fuel consumption.

The goal is to renew 100% of the fleet, although it will be done gradually,” says Arenas.

The strategy also includes collaborative work with suppliers.

“We involve our value chain to drive transformation. We don’t want to be the only ones working on these issues,” he emphasises.

This comprehensive approach is also reflected in the choice of certified materials: the company uses FSC-certified packaging and offers 100% Rainforest Alliance coffee, reinforcing its positioning as a brand with a positive environmental impact.

With eight chargers installed and a clear goal for 2030, Arcos Dorados strengthens its commitment to sustainable mobility in Argentina and Latin America.

“We want to build a company image that generates a positive impact on communities,” concludes Arenas.

The company is open to new partnerships that will decentralise its charging network, take it to more provinces, and turn each restaurant into a strategic point for Argentina’s electric ecosystem.

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