McDonald to open 200 new UK and Ireland restaurants in the next four years, as part of a £1bn expansion strategy. The fast-food giant aims to boost its presence in the region by over 10%, bringing its total number of outlets to 1,700.
As part of the expansion, McDonald’s will introduce “Drive to” restaurants—locations with a car park and a small seating area, but no drive-through—along with other smaller formats. This initiative will create more than 24,000 jobs, according to the company.
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Alistair Macrow, McDonald’s UK and Ireland CEO, emphasized the company’s commitment to growth and job creation in these markets, despite challenges such as the ongoing I*rael-Gaza conflict, which has led to boycotts and declining sales in other regions.
McDonald’s is also shifting its focus back to High Street restaurants, capitalizing on reduced rent prices following the post-Covid downturn. Retail expert Jonathan DeMello noted that the brand is likely to target retail parks outside London and southeastern England, where demand is driving up rents.
While the company faces criticism from health experts over increased fast-food promotions, McDonald’s sees this expansion as a key strategy for long-term growth. This comes at a time when the brand is also dealing with the fallout from a BBC investigation into allegations of sexual harassment within its workforce, prompting McDonald’s to launch a probe into the claims.
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Despite these challenges, the fast-food chain is betting on the stability of the UK and Ireland markets, aiming to secure its position as a leader in the industry as it navigates the complex global landscape.
