USA 
United Kingdom
McDonald’s has announced plans to add 375,000 employees across its US restaurants this summer as part of an ambitious expansion strategy and renewed focus on workforce development.
The fast food chain’s US President Joe Erlinger shared the update at an event in Ohio alongside US Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
The hiring campaign is timed to support a pipeline of new outlets, with 900 additional locations expected to open by 2027, expanding McDonald’s footprint beyond its current 13,500 sites.
The hiring drive exceeds the company’s 2020 post-pandemic recruitment effort, when it sought 260,000 new workers. It comes at a time when US restaurant traffic is expected to rebound despite recent slowdowns in consumer spending.
Summer hiring reflects broader optimism
The announcement follows a dip in first-quarter sales performance. Between January and March, same-store sales across McDonald’s US operations fell 3.6% year-on-year, the largest decline since 2020. The company attributed the fall to reduced spending by lower- and middle-income customers impacted by inflationary pressure.
Nonetheless, the restaurant sector as a whole remains confident. According to the National Restaurant Association, restaurants and bars added more than 46,000 jobs over March and April. Chipotle also announced plans earlier this year to hire 20,000 workers nationwide.
Broader hiring trends remain resilient. US employers added 177,000 jobs in April, demonstrating stability in the labour market despite uncertainties related to federal trade policies.
Secretary Chavez-DeRemer said the McDonald’s initiative would “spark a ripple effect of prosperity,” praising the organisation’s ability to create stepping-stone employment and longer-term career pathways. She also commended the company for setting a standard for private sector growth in the food industry.
Upskilling and access through Archways
In addition to new hires, McDonald’s celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Archways to Opportunity programme, which has so far supported more than 90,000 employees with tuition assistance, English language classes and career development services.
The company said it has invested $240 million in tuition assistance since launching the programme.
One participant, Anamaria Monterroso, who has worked for the business for eight years, said the initiative is helping her become the first in her family to graduate from college. She is currently studying for a degree in human resources at Colorado Technical University.
“Just because you work in fast food doesn’t mean your dreams end there,” Monterroso said.
