26 Jan – McDonald's Corp appears to have shrugged off the economic downturn by announcing proposals to create 12,000 new jobs and open almost 250 new outlets in its European operations.
The company’s European president of operations was quoted as saying the expansion proposals were the fast food giant’s largest since 2004. The move will see McDonald’s employ 50 staff at each of its 240 proposed new restaurants – mostly in France, Spain, Italy, Russia and Poland.
The company is also planning a 50% increase in the number of its McCafes from 800 to 1,200 in the next 12 months.
The newly created posts will mostly be part-time ones, the company said, and range from restaurant managers to crew members.
President of McDonald’s European operations Dennis Hennequin said there were “no signs of weakening” in the company’s growth in the region. He added, however, that consumers were seen to be down-grading to cheaper menus – particularly in Spain and Germany.
McDonald’s is expected to post a 10% hike in Q4 profits later today.