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

Since 1977 its Irish portfolio has grown to 95 restaurants

McDonald’s supported 11,640 headcount jobs across Ireland, comprised of 8,880 directly employed by the company and its franchisees.

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

The construction works 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 expected to be finalised over the coming weeks. 

McDonald’s opened its first restaurant in Ireland on Dublin’s Grafton Street in 1977, and since then its Irish portfolio has grown to 95 restaurants, all of which are 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 headcount jobs across Ireland, comprised of 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 on construction costs 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 52% in senior leadership roles are female. A focus on accelerating women’s career development and the important role that a strong pipeline of female talent can play in driving continued success 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 from across the UK and Ireland with apprenticeship opportunities. The first graduates in Ireland celebrated the successful completion of their apprenticeship 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 2025 third-quarter financial performance, global comparable sales increased 3.6%. US increased 2.4% and international operated markets up 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.”