McDonald’s to invest £1bn in creation of 24,000 UK-based jobs

As it celebrates 50 years in the UK, McDonald’s has revealed plans to open more than 200 new restaurants in the next four years, creating more than 24,000 new jobs.

This is part of a £1bn investment from McDonald’s and its franchisees in the UK and Ireland.

These ambitions were unveiled as part of the report ‘McDonald’s at 50′, prepared by planning and development consultancy Lichfields, which explored the business’ impact on communities across the country, since its doors first opened on Woolwich high street in 1974.

The new restaurants are part of ongoing investment that McDonald’s will make to ensure the business continues to meet evolving customer expectations.

The roll out will include testing new restaurant formats, with ‘drive to’ restaurants recently launched, and additional smaller formats being trialed this year.

The plans will also see a renewed focus on opening high street restaurants, and the business will continue to upgrade more than 1,500 existing restaurants across the UK and Ireland.

In 2023, McDonald’s spent more than £2bn with UK-based suppliers and farmers, and supported 209,475 jobs in the UK.

The report also revealed that £94.45bn has been contributed to the UK economy since first opening its doors.

Alistair Macrow, CEO of McDonald’s UK&I, said: “We have come a long way since we first opened our doors in Woolwich 50 years ago. We have become an important part of communities across the UK, and I’m delighted that in this milestone year we are able to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to growth, and announce the creation of new jobs across the country as we plan to open over 200 new restaurants over the next four years.

“It’s a moment to celebrate, and also to look ahead to what’s next. Whether that’s continuing to provide the best value for our customers, investing in our restaurants, supporting our suppliers across the UK or launching new initiatives for young people where our communities need them most.

“We’re proud of what we have delivered in the last 50 years and are committed to investing in new opportunities and supporting growth across the UK.”