McDonald’s invests US$163M in Ireland, adding 25 restaurants and 1,750 jobs by 2031

IRELAND – McDonald’s has unveiled a €150 million (US$163 million) five-year expansion plan for Ireland, targeting 25 new restaurant openings and the creation of approximately 1,750 jobs across the country.

The fast-food giant kicked off this ambitious growth strategy with a new outlet in New Ross last month and intends to roll out five additional locations annually through 2031, coinciding with its 50th anniversary in the Irish market next year.

Golden Milestone: 100th Restaurant on the Horizon

The expansion will bring McDonald’s total Irish footprint to more than 120 locations, with plans to open its landmark 100th restaurant in 2027 to celebrate five decades since first landing on Dublin’s Grafton Street.

Mike Spencer, Vice President of Development at McDonald’s UK & Ireland, expressed strong optimism about the brand’s trajectory: “The outlook for McDonald’s in Ireland is very positive, and we have a clear plan to invest more than €150 million here over the next five years.”

Franchise Power: 18 Operators Drive Local Impact

Currently, McDonald’s operates 96 restaurants nationwide through 18 Irish franchisees, collectively employing over 7,000 people and contributing more than €414 million (US$450 million) annually to the Irish economy.

The company’s supply chain commitment runs deep, with annual spending exceeding €240 million (US$261 million) on Irish producers and partners. In Cork alone, McDonald’s employs over 1,100 staff and contributes an estimated €37.6 million (US$40.9 million) in economic value.

Fresh Faces, Fresh Spaces

Beyond new construction, McDonald’s is refreshing its existing estate.

The company recently completed a €3 million (US$3.3 million) refurbishment of the Cork Douglas restaurant, led by local franchisee Jim Ronayne, which reopened in late 2025.

Minister of State Jerry Buttimer welcomed the investment, describing it as “a strong endorsement of the value of long-term investment in Ireland’s communities.”

The New Ross opening alone, operated by second-generation franchisee John Byrne, created 100 new jobs and marks the company’s first new Irish restaurant in nearly a decade.

The Competitive Landscape

This aggressive expansion arrives as Ireland’s fast-food sector grows increasingly crowded, with challengers like Taco Bell, Wendy’s, and Popeyes establishing footholds.

McDonald’s strategy couples unit growth with modernization, ensuring its restaurants evolve alongside customer expectations while maintaining the brand’s position as the largest global purchaser of Irish beef.

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