RIVER ROUTES AND INDUSTRY HUBS SHAPE PARAGUAY'S MODERN TRADE SYSTEM

Strategic logistics corridors and private investment are redefining how Paraguay moves goods across South America.

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Trade and logistics are rewriting how global brands operate across South America — and McDonald's is no exception.

Through Servicios Rápidos del Paraguay S.A., the franchise has built one of the region's most efficient food distribution networks, blending scale with social purpose.

"McDonald's began operations in Paraguay in 1996. Since then, we have opened 27 restaurants and expect to close the year with 30," Mike Brunotte, general director, said. Expansion plans aim for 45 outlets by 2030, reflecting both rising consumer demand and the country's broader logistics and infrastructure growth.

Behind the brand's steady rise is a highly coordinated cold-chain system that sources and moves products across multiple regions with near-perfect timing. "All our beef is Paraguayan. The flavor of our meat is unique—juicier and tastier than in other countries," Brunotte noted. By anchoring supply in domestic production, the company reinforces local industry while ensuring quality and traceability.

Technology also plays a growing role. The franchise has introduced advanced systems for order management and customer experience, aligning with McDonald's regional standards. Yet its hallmark remains human connection "the smile you receive at the counter or the drive-thru reflects the warmth we want to share," Brunotte explained. With more than 1,000 employees, 80% of whom are taking their first job, McDonald's has become a platform for youth employment, formal training, and career mobility. Brunotte himself represents continuity and innovation: educated in the United States with a B.A. in Finance from the University of Tampa, he returned to Paraguay in 2014 to join the family business, becoming a second-generation franchisee.