McDonald’s marks a half-century in Ireland with plans to expand further

The fast-food giant continues its Irish expansion with a new drive-through restaurant nearing completion in New Ross

McDonald’s is set to open its newest Irish restaurant in New Ross, Wexford, before Valentine’s Day

The newest McDonald’s restaurant in Ireland is on track to open to the public in Wexford before Valentine’s Day.

Construction work on the company’s latest expansion in New Ross, which includes a 50-seater restaurant with a drive-through and car park, began in August 2025 and is due to conclude over the coming weeks.

McDonald’s opened its first restaurant in Ireland on Dublin’s Grafton Street in 1977, and its Irish footprint has since grown to 95 restaurants, all owned and operated by 19 local franchisees, contributing over €414m to the Irish economy annually.

“McDonald’s has an important role to play here in Ireland – not least through our economic contribution of over €400m to the Irish economy and our spend of more than €240m with Irish farmers and suppliers,” said Lauren Schultz, CEO of McDonald’s UK and Ireland. 

“We are committed to growing our impact here further in the coming years and marking our 50th anniversary in Ireland in 2027.”

In 2023, McDonald’s supported 11,640 jobs across Ireland, including 8,880 directly employed by the company and its franchisees. An additional 1,605 indirect jobs were supported in the supply chain, providing goods and services to the company.

“Reflecting on our journey from 1977 to today, we see not only how far we’ve come, but also the potential for future growth,” said Alistair Macrow, then Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s UK & Ireland. 

“Many of our Irish suppliers have been with us from the beginning, playing a crucial role in delivering the delicious McDonald’s menu our customers love. In 2023 alone, we spent €241.7 million with Irish suppliers, and we continue to build relationships with new partners.” 

Between 2018 and 2023, the company invested €41.6 million in construction on new-build and refurbished restaurants.

“This investment made initiatives such as our ‘Convenience of the Future’ programme, which has seen the redesign of many of our restaurants across Ireland, to reflect the variety in ordering methods, as well as to keep pace with customer expectations now and in the future.”

Across Ireland and the UK, women accounted for almost half (48%) of McDonald’s total workforce in 2023, while women held 52% of senior leadership roles. A focus on accelerating women’s career development and building a strong pipeline of female talent is supported by internal initiatives such as The Women’s Network and The Empowering the Female Leader Programme.

McDonald’s Ireland has partnered with the retail sector’s leading training provider, Retail Ireland Skillnet, since 2022. Since 2006, the McDonald’s Apprenticeship Programme has supported over 21,500 people across the UK and Ireland. The first graduates in Ireland completed their apprenticeships in 2024.

“As one of Ireland’s leading brands, we are committed to supporting the communities we serve and providing valuable employment opportunities. Whether it’s someone’s first job or a step in a long career, we strive to support our people in every restaurant.”

In the company’s third-quarter 2025 financial results, global comparable sales rose by 3.6%, with US sales up 2.4% and international operated markets increasing by 4.3%.

“We increased global systemwide sales by 6% and grew comp sales across all segments, a testament to our ability to deliver sustainable growth even in a challenging environment,” said Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski. 

“We're fuelling momentum by delivering everyday value and affordability, menu innovation, and compelling marketing that continue to bring customers through our doors.”