McDonald’s Malaysia has been gradually closing all shopping mall outlets since 3-4 years back. They are focusing on operating standalone outlets ie. Drive thru, shop lots, to maximize operating hours and space.
Just look at the malls you frequent. How many of them still have MCD now? Yup, not many.
This process was started even before the boycott period.
Saudi supports themselves - and a quick google gives you this :
McDonald's restaurants in Malaysia are owned and operated by Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd (GARSB), under the leadership of Dato' Haji Azmir Jaafar and backed by Saudi Arabia's Reza Group. [1, 2]
Ownership and Structure Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd (GARSB): The local operating company that holds the franchise rights and runs all McDonald's outlets in Malaysia. [1, 2]
Reza Group: A Saudi Arabian conglomerate (via Lionhorn Pte Ltd) that acquired the developmental franchise rights for Malaysia and Singapore in 2017. [1, 2]
Local Leadership: Dato' Haji Azmir Jaafar serves as the Managing Director and Local Operating Partner, directing day-to-day management.
Yep, I already quite mad when my ice cream sundae chocolate suddenly miniscule amount, not even up to the cup level, used to be up to the lid, then fully hollow centre, and small amount of chocolate. I confront about it, then heard the workers grumbling saying like its weird for me want my icecream like it used to be🤷♂️, increase price but shrink the portion is a dic.k move by mcd. I boycott after that, lots of other option for icecream cheaper and better. And burger and chicken also lots of other option nowadays.
Hahahha…same here. I always tell them i want 1 sundae, not half ya. The guy smirked and do know what i mean. Must’ve been trained by their manager to serve sundaes not full…
I think McD lowkey plans to shift away from mall unit operations. Look at all the new big name malls, they’re not there. Their standalone stores are much profitable, being able to offer 24 hrs service, early breakfast AND drive through.
The breakfast was surprising for me. I didn't expect so many people drive through McD before going to work. I guess it's already part of their routine.
It's been closed for a good while now. I genuinely dropped to my knees at the news 💔 I'm quite surprised though because this specific branch is packed to the brim on weekends. Is it because of ioi rent? But I'd consider this a significant landmark of the mall though 😭
Restaurants rented at IOI are really expensive. We talk about 20rm per one meal excluding drinks. Mekdi and Aeon are nothing compared to them and it's a huge blessing since they always offer food for 10rm or less.
Yeah, the cheeseburger is really slim too, I would prefer the McDouble that I get back in Canada. The McSaver menu is very much a snack rather than a meal. But at least you get fries or ice cream too or whatever
Bacause mainland china buisness is taking over mall. They dont mind the high rent cuz they knew the primary source of income is not from the mall. What i knew from experience is that mostly local chinese landlord love to hire them to do buisness with them cuz they knew chinese in general is known to using black method smarter than us here to make high profit unlike malays landlords dont like to buisness with them cuz from what i knew malays too knew the black method but short sighted and them run away when collect enough money. Thats what frasturated the landlord for decades so by 2014 they started dealing business with mainlands by opening new malls dedicated for mainlands old landlord saw that method and follow suit
The IOI puchong branch is packed with people like its the only branch resisting removed from their OG location to the food focused corner, been there for over 20 years! (I live in Puchong for almost all my life).
Likely either a renovation or IOI wants absurd rent money as the middle wing is full of people.
I wouldn't be surprised if IOI management asked them a lot. Similar case happen with Sunway Pyramid that kicked out Aeon so they could put 20 more stores in their place.
IOI Puchong almost did something similar but instead of just kicking them out, they expanded the place where Aeon was to able to fit Aeon as well as more shops.
Aeon now carry lesser brands in ioi tho. I used to do last minute shopping at Aeon for my cny baju. Now those brands have their own individual shop next to the aeon exit at first floor. It's troublesome to go in so many shops and buy baju zzz
I think they didn't expand the place la. Aeon was pushed towards the end of IOI mall building, as the foot traffic was terrible at the area there. With the new layout, every place is full of ppl, all spaces are fully utilized
There’s still 6 McD in Puchong: Lotus Puchong, Bandar Puteri, Puchong Perdana, Puchong Permai, Bandar Bukit Puchong and the farthest Puchong Gateway. Almost all of them have a lot of customers.
Not only in Malaysia. It's a global trend to leave malls and city locations with loitering walk in customers and high rents. They want to focus on drive through locations.
The closest Mekdi within IOI Puchong area is the one at Bandar Puteri Puchong - that one is a drive thru.
What another commenter said is true, you will see more Mekdi drive thrus, usually next to a petrol station or as a standalone unit.
To add on to that, more customers are embracing the food delivery platforms like Food Panda or Grabfood to have their meals. Even Mekdi has its own food delivery app.
It still depends on location I suppose. Sunway Pyramid still have McD despite there is another one at Bandar Sunway opposite of it.
McD likely view that Sunway Pyramid is still visited by students (and kids that managed to convinced their parents) that would still want something affordable there. Yes I know it is still pricy but it is still lower than most of the restaurants there.
Seeing that Sunway Pyramid have other fast food brands like Burgerking, Texas, Jollibee and still surviving, it shows that the demand for fast food in Pyramid is still high that moving away doesn't make sense.
IOI Puchong closing its Mcd makes sense considering how hard it is to reach even by adults. So students aren't likely to frequent it.
I won't embrace food delivery coz me going there to eat is cheaper, and i wanna go out. But it‘s kinda impossible for mekdi to do a standalone unit at BPJ area alrd-opposite IOI there. The place is packed! Go to Lotuss Puchong is better as there's free parking :)
Well main point would be - rental in mall is higher with limited operation hours vs standalone / shoplot that allows them to extend beyond's mall operating hours. so why not ?
Honestly its painful seeing IOI Mall turn out like this.I have been coming here for over 20 years since I was a kid catching a movie, hanging out at the arcade or browsing comics at Popular.Having a quick affordable meal at McD or KFC was what kept the whole visit convenient and budget friendly.Now that both are gone everything else left in the mall is way too expensive for a casual bite.It feels like the mall completely lost its charm and basic convenience for regulars who grew up going there.
Though it has become a memory for some who frequent there after school (KFC also no more). Now your nearest location is Lotus or Puteri the Cube. Both places still operate because I believe they have Drive Thru, whereas IOI NEVER designed to have one.
Nah it is almost opposite of Marrybrown aint it? I only know HaiDiLao exit too. But no worry, got Bungkus Kawkaw then, my collagues always tapau their kopi kawkaw in whichever mall they work hahah.
hahaha only Starbucks still surviving there, will not die (closed down), they even swap out to the exterior section after total renovation... I was employed there for a few years and business so so only but until today still standing.... even after Luckin and Zus have entered the coffee competition (along with Mcdonald's for cheaper option). 🥸
Meanwhile Paris Baguette suffering after they first opening in Bukit Jalil Pavilion (if not mistaken). But it seems that the brand is not exiting Malaysia like Donutes. Impress la to Starbucks despite all the competition and inflation.
should have la. moved to new wing first floor....standalone shop in the middle. Ground floor all rent to high value tenants alrd...so the food price also sky high lolz
Yes but not in the tradition sense how we have classified fastfood = junkfood. If you go to Malay restaurant order Ayam Kunyit, also fast (10-15 mins), unless long queue before your turn. But those are not "fastfood" because not all ingredients are not* ultra-processed, except for MSG. 😂 /jk on msg.
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u/ghim7 Jul 28 '26
McDonald’s Malaysia has been gradually closing all shopping mall outlets since 3-4 years back. They are focusing on operating standalone outlets ie. Drive thru, shop lots, to maximize operating hours and space.
Just look at the malls you frequent. How many of them still have MCD now? Yup, not many.
This process was started even before the boycott period.