Yahoo Finance McDonald's to open 100 new restaurants in $1 billion Aussie expansion
The fast-food giant says the project will generate 40,000 new jobs.
McDonald's Australia has announced it will spend more than $1 billion in its biggest expansion move since the 1990s, dedicating up to $600 million on new outlets, and $450 million on upgrading existing restaurants.
A projected 100 new restaurants will be opened in the next three years, with 30 set to open this year alone.
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Despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, Macca's is hoping to capitalise on the ongoing popularity of its online ordering system, rewards program, mobile app, home delivery, and drive-thru sales.
The expansion is headed by McDonald's Australia's newly appointed boss, Antoni Martinez, 37, who began his career with the chain as a teenager. Martinez admitted the move was "ambitious" in a statement given to The Australian.
Growth opportunity
"I just think when you look at our performance at the moment, it's a great opportunity for us to accelerate that growth," Martinez said.
"We are seeing customers and sales growth, we're seeing opportunities to innovate and excite customers, because we're seeing drivers in growth such as the delivery platform and drive-thru, in our McCafe."
Martinez said the new stores would generate thousands more jobs.
"In those new restaurants and existing stores over the next three years, it is going to generate 40,000 new jobs," he told The Australian.
With Aussies cutting costs across the board, Martinez said McDonald's was hoping to remain an affordable option for consumers.
"Customers are telling us they definitely see coming to McDonald's as a treat," he said.
"You do see some shifts across the day and how customers react. For example, we know we are serving one in four Australians their coffee every day, which is huge, and we know that, despite some of the challenges, things like coffee are really important."
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