McDonald's to Invest €150M in Ireland Expansion
McDonald's has announced a €150 million investment to open 25 new restaurants across Ireland. The expansion is expected to create a significant number of new jobs, though a specific timeline and locations for the new outlets have not yet been released.
This latest investment builds on a significant existing presence in the country, which currently includes 96 restaurants employing over 7,000 people. The entire Irish operation is run on a franchise model, with 18 independent franchisees owning and operating the outlets. The expansion is set to unfold over the next five years, with an average of five new restaurants opening annually. This growth trajectory is timed to coincide with a major milestone, as the company aims to open its 100th Irish restaurant in 2027, marking its 50th anniversary in the country. The first McDonald's in Ireland opened its doors on Grafton Street, Dublin, in May 1977. The brand continued to innovate within the European market from its Irish base, opening the continent's first-ever drive-thru at the Nutgrove Shopping Centre in Dublin in 1985. Financially, the Irish arm of the fast-food giant, McDonald's Restaurants of Ireland Ltd, generates its revenue from fees charged to its franchisees. In 2023, these revenues increased by 6% to €85.65 million, although pre-tax profits saw a decrease to €36.32 million. The company's cash funds at the end of that year stood at €45.58 million.
