McDonalds to open 25 new restaurants in Ireland over next five years

Gordon Deegan

The Irish arm of fast food giant, McDonald’s is planning to spend €150 million on the opening of 25 new restaurants and the creation of around 1,750 jobs here over the next five years.

The announcement by the firm comes ahead of the company’s 50th milestone birthday in Ireland in 2027.

McDonald’s expansion plans in Ireland have been kick-started with the opening of its newest restaurant in New Ross last month, marking the beginning of a significant growth phase for the business over the next five years.

The fast food firm intends to open five new restaurants per year over the next five years - 25 new locations in total - representing an investment of approximately €150 million in the Irish market.

Vice President, Development at McDonald’s UK & Ireland, Mike Spencer said today: “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.

"That investment will support the opening of up to five new restaurants each year - around 25 in total - and the creation of approximately 1,750 new jobs across the country.

He said: “We plan that our 50th anniversary in Ireland next year will coincide with the opening of our 100th restaurant in Ireland.”

Alongside opening new restaurants, McDonald’s is also investing in its existing restaurants.

This includes the recent €3 million refurbishment of the Cork Douglas restaurant, led by local franchisee Jim Ronayne, which reopened in late 2025.

McDonald’s maintains a strong commitment to Irish suppliers, with annual supply chain spend exceeding €240 million and supporting producers and partners across the country.

The business currently operates 96 restaurants nationwide, all independently owned and operated by 18 Irish franchisees.

Together, they employ more than 7,000 people in local communities across Ireland, contributing over €414 million to the Irish economy each year.

This refurbishment of the Cork Douglas restaurant was highlighted today at Beneath and Beyond the Golden Arches, a special event celebrating McDonald’s economic and community impact in Cork and across Ireland.

At the event, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and T.D. for Cork South-Central, Jerry Buttimer said:“Today’s announcement from McDonald’s is a strong endorsement of the value of long-term investment in Ireland’s communities, delivering tangible benefits for the economy through the creation of 1,750 new local jobs over the next five years.

He said: “Over the past five decades, McDonald’s has played a significant role in communities across Ireland - sustaining local employment, supporting Irish farmers and the agri-food sector, and investing in regional initiatives and charitable causes that strengthen social and economic resilience nationwide.

"I particularly welcome McDonald’s continued commitment to Cork, demonstrated through its €3 million investment in the Douglas restaurant.”

In Cork alone, McDonald’s employs over 1,100 people, contributing an estimated €37.6 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the local economy.