Paolo Arena expands McDonald's presence in Calabria

Entrepreneur Paolo Arena has established a network of five McDonald's restaurants in the Cosenza province of Calabria, Italy. His journey began in 1997 with the opening of the first location in the Metropolis shopping center in Rende.

Inspired by the organizational structure of the brand during a trip to the United States as a teenager, Arena spent years pursuing the franchise opportunity through persistent communication with McDonald's Italy. After undergoing intensive training in Rome, Milan, and Chicago, he successfully brought the brand to Southern Italy.

Today, his business operations employ 505 people across his five locations, which include sites in Rende and Zumpano.