McDonald’s Announces Further UK Expansion
McDonald’s UK plans to create 8,000 new jobs across the UK over the next three years, taking its UK workforce to more than 100,000. As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting and developing young people, around 70% of these new jobs are expected to go to first-time workers and people under the age of 25.
McDonald’s is now one of the UK’s largest private sector employers, and the new jobs come as a result of continued investment and sustained growth in the UK by McDonald’s and its network of franchisees. Last year, £95 million was invested in new restaurants, extended opening hours and a major restaurant refurbishment programme.
The announcement has been made as McDonald’s releases the findings of a new economic report entitled, ‘Serving the UK: McDonald’s at 40’. The report looks at the positive contribution McDonald’s has made to its people, to its customers, to communities and to the national economy over 40 years.
It reveals that since the first McDonald’s restaurant opened in the UK in 1974, together with its suppliers and franchisees, McDonald’s has:
* Supported the creation of 1.5 million jobs
* Spent over £26 billion with UK-based businesses
* Delivered a total contribution of over £40 billion to the British economy in 2013 prices.
As part of McDonald’s commitment to sourcing the majority of the food for its menu from the UK, the economic analysis shows that British businesses benefit from annual McDonald’s supply chain expenditure of around £2 billion each year.
Jill McDonald, North West Division President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s UK, comments: “To mark our 40 years in the UK we wanted to take a close look at our economic and community impact, from the jobs we have created to the world leading supply chain we have built. I’m incredibly proud of the investments we have been able to make and how our franchisees and employees are at the heart of hundreds of communities across the UK.”
He adds: “By taking a responsible and long-term approach we have been able to support jobs for local people and create opportunities for UK-based businesses. Our continued growth will enable us to further expand our workforce over the next few years, and in many cases give thousands of young people a valuable opportunity to start building their careers.”
