McDonald’s plans to create 24,000 jobs in the UK and the Republic of Ireland over the next four years as it opens more than 200 restaurants in a sign of faith in the high street.
The expansion, its biggest since 2002, is part of a £1 billion investment by the chain and its franchisees, which already have 1,435 outlets in the UK employing 171,415 people. Four fifths of its restaurants are owned and operated by franchisees.
It represents a significant increase in investment by McDonald’s, which put £618 million into new restaurants and upgrades in the five years to 2023.
Under the plans to be announced this week, there will be a renewed focus on opening high street restaurants by the company, which is the