Argentina’s Golden Arches Burning Brightly

Source: Arcos Dorados S.A.

Bloomberg is reporting that Buenos Aires-based Arcos Dorados, owner of the license to operate McDonald’s restaurants in Argentina and several other Latin American countries, will tap international debt markets and issue $450 million in 10 year bonds this week. Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley will manage what Bloomberg calls “the first Argentine corporate bond sale in international markets in almost two years.” The transaction is a positive signal for the largest restaurant operator in Latin America as well as for other Argentine companies whose borrowing costs have fallen considerably this year thanks to diminished country risk. With more than 1,750 locations in 19 countries, Arcos Dorados reported net revenue of over $3.5 billion in 2008. While Arcos Dorados is targeting porteño coffee lovers with the recently launched McCafé concept (Story), the McDonald’s Argentina facebook page promotes new menu innovations like the McFlurry Cadbury and the Doble McNífica. Me encantaâ„¢.