McDonald’s Philippines is expanding its partnership with Vivant Energy’s retail electricity supplier COREnergy to lower electricity costs and increase the use of renewable energy across its restaurant network in the Visayas, as the quick-service chain accelerates store expansion in the region.
The initial phase of the partnership will cover 36 McDonald’s restaurants in Cebu and Negros Island. Thirty-two stores will join the Retail Aggregation Program (RAP), with 16 outlets each in Cebu and Negros Occidental, while four others will shift individually through the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) framework.
Through the arrangement, participating restaurants are expected to reduce electricity costs by about 10% on average while locking in fixed electricity rates for two years, helping improve cost predictability. Around 10% to 15% of the electricity supplied to the stores will come from solar energy.
“As we continue to grow in the Visayas, we’re equally focused on improving how our restaurants operate,” said Margot Torres, managing director of McDonald’s Philippines.
“Electricity is one of the largest operating costs in our business. By working with COREnergy, we can better manage this expense and build more energy-efficient restaurants as we grow,” she said.
The RAP and RCOA schemes allow qualified electricity consumers to procure power directly from licensed retail electricity suppliers, enabling businesses to access more competitive rates and greater flexibility in managing their energy requirements.
“Businesses continue to navigate a changing energy environment, making greater choice and cost predictability increasingly important,” said Francis del Val, president of COREnergy.
“Through RAP and RCOA, we are helping McDonald’s access energy solutions that respond to the needs of its growing restaurant network. This includes more competitive rates and renewable energy options that support more efficient operations and long-term business performance,” he said.
The collaboration comes as both companies expand their footprint in the Visayas. McDonald’s has opened seven new stores in Cebu this year, while COREnergy, backed by Cebu-based Vivant Energy, is strengthening its retail electricity business in the region.
McDonald’s said the COREnergy partnership forms part of its broader energy efficiency strategy. By the end of 2026, the company expects about 64% of its nationwide restaurant portfolio to have transitioned under the RAP, improving energy efficiency and cost management across its operations.
