McDonald's has announced plans to open more than 200 new restaurants across the UK and Ireland over the next four years, creating approximately 24,000 jobs. The initiative, backed by a £1bn investment from the fast-food chain and its franchisees, marks the company's largest expansion programme in the UK for over two decades, with a particular focus on high street locations.
The US firm currently operates 1,435 restaurants in the UK, around four-fifths of which are owned and operated by franchisees employing more than 170,000 workers. The new outlets will include tests for smaller sites and 'drive to' restaurants, reflecting evolving consumer habits. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of McDonald's first UK store in Woolwich, south London.
The expansion comes amid a rise in demand for takeaways, driven by a return to office working and home-based workers treating themselves. The UK food-to-go market is expected to grow by 40% in value by 2028, according to the grocery industry body IGD. While inflation has fuelled recent growth, order volumes began increasing again in 2024, a trend expected to continue.
Alistair Macrow, chief executive of McDonald's UK and Ireland, said: 'We have come a long way since we first opened our doors in Woolwich 50 years ago. 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.'
However, the company faces stiff competition in the UK, having lost the top spot for takeaway breakfast earlier this year to Newcastle-based bakery chain Greggs. Globally, McDonald's Corporation reported its first quarterly sales miss in nearly four years in February, hit by weak growth in the Middle East, China and India. Chief executive Chris Kempczinski acknowledged that the firm's 'value leadership' had recently shrunk, adding: 'We are working to fix that with pace.'
