In celebration of its 50th anniversary in the UK and Ireland, McDonald’s, the renowned fast food chain, announced its ambitious plans to establish over 200 additional eateries across these regions. This expansion will result in 24,000 fresh job opportunities within the next four years. An investment of approximately £1 billion (€1.2 billion) is intended for this substantial growth. The company did not specify the extent of expansion for Ireland but assured that the new outlets would be designed to cater to the necessities of the local community.
Furthermore, as part of this grand plan, McDonald’s would focus on inaugurating new high street restaurants – a move demonstrating the firm’s commitment to aiding the prosperity of high streets across the nation. It’s also their way of keeping up with and responding to the consistent evolution of city centres, despite various challenges.
Aside from the creation of new establishments, the fast food company will also embark on a renovation quest, upgrading and refreshing the look of over 1,500 existing eateries across the UK and Ireland.
Meanwhile, in 2022, the Irish branch marked its most successful year with a tremendous 157% increase in pretax profits, reaching €43.16 million. This growth was witnessed concurrent to the firm’s shift away from operating its own chain of outlets in Ireland.
After 45 years since the inaugural McDonald’s store opened its doors on Dublin’s Grafton Street, the last owner-operated McDonald’s in Ireland at Dublin Airport ceased operations on February 28th, 2022, marking a significant shift.
“We’ve come a great distance from our humble beginnings in Woolwich 50 years ago,” said Alistair Macrow, the Chief Executive of McDonald’s UK and Ireland. In this significant year, he expressed his delight in announcing job growth and the plans to launch over 200 new restaurants within the next four years.