A NEW 110-seater McDonald's restaurant in Derriaghy will create 120 full and part-time jobs when it opens at the end of this month.
The 24/7 dual lane drive thru restaurant at McKinstry Road will be the fast food chain's 32nd eatery in Northern Ireland.
It means the seven franchisees who operate and manage McDonald's restaurants portfolio across the north now employ more than 3,000 staff.
Franchisee of the new Derriaghy facility is John McCollum of JMC Restaurants, who also operates a number of other McDonald's eateries including those at the Boulevard in Banbridge and Damolly retail park in Newry.
He said, “McDonald’s is committed to growing its business in Northern Ireland and this major investment has created significant direct and indirect employment including a boost to the manufacturing, construction and service sectors.
“Since we started to reopen our restaurants our priority has been to ensure that our people and customers are kept safe. We have changed our operations and together with our suppliers, restaurant teams and delivery partners we have been able to continue serving the communities in which we operate.
“Throughout my time as a franchisee I have been committed to serving and supporting the local communities in which we serve and I'm really looking forward to welcoming people from the local area and beyond to the new restaurant to enjoy a treat at McDonald’s.”
Derriaghy - which opens for customers from October 28 - combines new customer facing technology, a McDelivery service and mobile app order and payment that places customer comfort and wellbeing at the forefront of the offering.
McDonald’s has adapted to accommodate changes to its way of working with social distancing and enhanced safety procedures.
Mobile ordering through the My McDonald’s app will provide contact-free ordering for dine-in, drive-thru and takeaway, allowing customers to browse the menu in their own time and customise their order.
Independent economic data indicates that McDonald’s and its supply chain partners make a combined contribution of £99 million a year in Northern Ireland and support more than 4,700 jobs, with farmers receiving £23m directly as a result of the chain's operations.
