The McDonald’s Ireland Social and Economic Impact Report highlighted that McDonald’s supports 11,640 jobs across Ireland and contributed €414.6 million to the Irish economy in 2023. It also revealed its ambition to create 1,000 new jobs across Ireland over the next four years, marking a €40 million investment.
Out of the 11,640 jobs that McDonald’s supports in Ireland, 8,880 are directly employed by the company and its franchisees directly.
McDonald’s operates two restaurants in County Wicklow in Bray and Arklow.
The economic data, which was provided by independent planning and development consultancy Lichfields, also found that, in 2023, McDonald’s spent €241.7 million with Irish businesses within its supply chain.
Furthermore, it recorded that over the last five years (2018-2023) the company invested €41.6 million in the expansion and improvement of its restaurant portfolio in Ireland, which includes new sites that were introduced to the market as well as restaurant refurbishments.
McDonald’s first revealed its Golden Arches in Ireland on Grafton Street, Dublin in 1977, and since then its Irish portfolio has grown to 95 restaurants, which are all owned and operated by 19 local franchisees.
The company said it commissioned the independent economic report to understand the value McDonald’s has added to the Irish economy and the impact it has had on local communities, employees, customers and suppliers over the last number of years.
McDonald’s UK&I chief executive Alistair Macrow said: “We have become an important part of communities across Ireland, and I’m delighted that, through the launch of our new Social and Economic Impact Report, we are able to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to supporting communities and growth in Ireland.
“I’m also thrilled to announce a €40 million investment in our Irish restaurant estate, which, over the next four years, will lead to the creation of 1,000 additional jobs in Ireland. This is a moment to celebrate but also an opportunity to look ahead to what’s next.”