The Irish division of fast food multinational McDonald’s is set to invest €150m in opening 25 new restaurants and generating approximately 1,750 jobs across the country over the next five years, reports RTE.
The company made the announcement today as it prepares to mark its 50th anniversary in Ireland in 2027, reports RTE.
McDonald’s growth strategy in Ireland has already begun with the launch of its newest outlet in New Ross last month, signalling the start of an ambitious expansion drive for the business over the coming five years.
The fast food chain plans to roll out five new restaurants annually over that period — 25 outlets in total — amounting to an estimated €150 million investment in the Irish market, reports RTE.
Mike Spencer, Vice President of Development at McDonald’s UK & Ireland, said: “The outlook for McDonald’s in Ireland is very positive, and we have a clear plan to invest more than €150 million here over the next five years. That investment will support the opening of up to five new restaurants each year – around 25 in total – and the creation of approximately 1,750 new jobs across the country.
He said: “We plan that our 50th anniversary in Ireland next year will coincide with the opening of our 100th restaurant in Ireland.”, reports RTE.
In addition to launching new outlets, McDonald’s is investing in upgrading its current restaurants, including the recent €3 million refurbishment of the Cork Douglas branch, overseen by local franchisee Jim Ronayne, which reopened in late 2025.
The company continues to emphasise its support for Irish suppliers, with annual spending on its supply chain exceeding €240 million and benefiting producers and partners nationwide, reports RTE.
At present, the business operates 96 restaurants across Ireland, all of which are independently owned and run by 18 Irish franchisees.
Collectively, these outlets employ more than 7,000 people in communities throughout the country and contribute over €414 million annually to the Irish economy, reports RTE.
The revamp of the Cork Douglas restaurant was showcased today at Beneath and Beyond the Golden Arches, a special event highlighting McDonald’s economic and community contribution in Cork and across Ireland.
Speaking at the event, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and T.D. for Cork South-Central, Jerry Buttimer said:”Today’s announcement from McDonald’s is a strong endorsement of the value of long-term investment in Ireland’s communities, delivering tangible benefits for the economy through the creation of 1,750 new local jobs over the next five years,” reports RTE.
He said: “Over the past five decades, McDonald’s has played a significant role in communities across Ireland – sustaining local employment, supporting Irish farmers and the agri-food sector, and investing in regional initiatives and charitable causes that strengthen social and economic resilience nationwide. I particularly welcome McDonald’s continued commitment to Cork, demonstrated through its €3 million investment in the Douglas restaurant.”, reports RTE.
In Cork alone, McDonald’s employs more than 1,100 people and contributes an estimated €37.6 million in Gross Value Added to the local economy.
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