Fast food franchise D.M.C. has extended its presence to Savai’i with the opening of an outlet in Salelologa with the company management citing the country's peace and stability as a factor behind their expansion.

The opening of a D.M.C. (Dad, Mum and Children) restaurant on the big island will make it the seventh branch, confirming the company’s standing as Samoa’s largest fast food business chain.

The new restaurant is located next to the Salelologa wharf in an old Samoa Shipping Corporation warehouse and was opened on Friday. 

The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai as well as D.M.C. staff and management and members of the Salelologa village.

D.M.C. General Manager Nianda Weng, in a speech to mark the occasion, praised Samoa’s strong culture and traditional practices which he credited for a safe community.

“Words cannot express how fortunate we feel to be able to live and work in such a beautiful, peaceful and safe country when the rest of the world is experiencing a difficult time as a result of the COVID pandemic,” said Mr Weng.

“We would like to express our thank you once again to Samoan Government and the community for providing us with such a great environment to live and work in.

"My staff and I first visited Savaii island four years ago. I have to say the scenery on this island is beautiful and will make you want to come back again.”

The Government’s focus on tourism was the driving force behind the decision to set up a restaurant in Salelologa, according to Mr Weng, who indicated that he was determined to achieve that goal.

"It was then that the seeds of the D.M.C. restaurant began to grow within me,” he said.

“I told myself I had to open a restaurant with a good dining environment to provide a comfortable dining experience for the locals and tourists.

“Today with the help of all of you, my dream has come true, people will no longer have to travel and take away D.M.C. food from Apia to bring back to families.

“And here on, we can enjoy freshly cooked food.”

In terms of the quality of their food, Mr Weng said it was of international standard on par with global fast food franchises such as McDonalds and K.F.C.

“Our restaurant has strict control mechanisms on food safety control, food preparation process and open kitchen management,” he said.

“We strive to provide the most delicious food and comfortable dining environment for everyone."

The company currently has 61 local staff and the opening hours of the Salelologa outlet will be at 6am when the first ferry departs for Mulifanua to 10 pm each night. 

As for the name of their restaurant chain, Mr Weng said they decided to call it D.M.C. (Dad, Mum and Children) to signify the strong sense of family that the Samoan people promote.

"It is simply Dad, Mum and Children, the Samoan people have a strong sense of family and DMC is a place where families and groups can get together and have a meal in a warm embrace! 

“We hope that this will be the priority choice for the children of Savai’i when they want to host birthday parties in the future.”

Prior to the Salelologa restaurant’s opening, Mr Weng said they heard rumours of “foreigners not welcome on the island”. 

However, he said since their arrival they have not had any difficulty and were supported by everyone.

"Savai’i is our shared home, whether it is an individual, a company or even a nation and only by constantly pursuing development will there be more opportunities," he said.