McDonalds plans China expansion for Olympics

McDonald's Corp aims to boost its outlets from 600 to 1,000 across China, by the time the Olympic Games is staged in Beijing in summer 2008.

Peter Tan, president of the fast food giant's Greater China operations made the announcement.

Tan said the outbreak of bird flu in China has not affected sales so far and he does not expect to see any impact in future.

The company plans to open 80 more restaurants on the mainland this year, Tan told reporters at a news conference to announce McDonald's decision to renew its sponsorship of the Olympic Games for the next eight years to 2012.

It will have exclusive marketing rights for the restaurant and food service category for summer and winter Games scheduled for 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012.

The 2004 Olympic Games in Athens will mark the company's fourth Olympics as an official sponsor and its fifth as the official restaurant of the Olympic Games.