McDonaldโs has announced plans to recruit up to 375,000 new employees in the United States over the summer, marking its most significant hiring effort in several years. The fast-food titan based in Chicago aims to bolster its workforce within both company-owned and franchised locations, driven in part by its decision to expand across the country. With an existing presence of over 13,500 restaurants nationwide, McDonaldโs has set a target to launch 900 more outlets by 2027.
For the announcement, McDonaldโs U.S. President Joe Erlinger was joined by U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer at a McDonaldโs near Columbus, Ohio. โThe decision by McDonaldโs initiates a wave of prosperity impacting employees, local communities, and the broader economy,โ stated DeRemer. โBy increasing its workforce, the company is promoting investment and setting an industrial growth benchmark, acting as either a stepping stone for diverse career paths or a means of achieving advancements within.โ
McDonaldโs assured that the newly created roles are permanent positions. However, this doesnโt imply that McDonaldโs anticipates its U.S. workforce exceeding 1.1 million by the summerโs end. The companyโs flexible hiring strategy considers the typical turnover rate commonly found within its stores.
The last major recruitment drive McDonaldโs undertook occurred in 2020, coinciding with its efforts to staff 260,000 new employees as restaurants began to reopen following the initial pandemic-related closures. This current hiring initiative depicts the companyโs optimism regarding increased restaurant visits throughout the year.
During the first quarter of the year, McDonaldโs reported a 3.6% drop in U.S. same-store sales, marking its most significant decline since the pandemic initially forced restaurant closures in 2020. The downturn was attributed to financial concerns among lower- to middle-income customers who reduced their fast food expenditure.
Despite these challenges, other eateries share McDonaldโs positive outlook. Data from the National Restaurant Association shows that U.S. dining establishments, including bars, employed more than 46,000 additional staff in March and April. Likewise, Chipotle announced in February its ambition to recruit 20,000 new team members.
In overall terms, the U.S. employment landscape demonstrated continued strength, with 177,000 new jobs added in April, even amid uncertainties related to ongoing trade discussions.
McDonaldโs also used the gathering as an opportunity to commemorate the 10th anniversary of its Archways to Opportunity initiative. This program has provided more than 90,000 employees with access to tuition assistance, English language education, and career support services. According to McDonaldโs, over $240 million has been awarded in tuition aid alone through this initiative.
Anamaria Monterroso, who has worked with McDonaldโs for eight years, shared that the Archways to Opportunity program is helping her become the first in her family to attain a college degree. She is pursuing a degree in human resources at Colorado Technical University. โWorking in fast food does not imply that your dreams cease there,โ Monterroso remarked.