DUBLIN: The Irish public’s love of the ‘Big Mac’ has shown no sign of abating as profits and revenues increased at the Irish arm of McDonald’s.
New figures show that McDonald’s in Ireland last year outperformed its global business to record a 2.5% increase in pre-tax profits, to €14 million. This followed revenues at the business increasing by 5% to €84.98m, boosted by the opening of two new stores, in Cork and Naas.
The fast food chain is due to open its 91st outlet at City West in Dublin this month. London’s office property market ‘tanking’, says Green Property chairman Stephen Vernon
Last year, the firm paid a dividend of €11m. At the end of last year, McDonald’s had 89 stores in the Republic, including 77 franchised stores and 12 operated directly by the company.
Commenting on the 2015 results, managing director of McDonald’s Ireland, Adrian Crean said: “2015 was another year of expansion with the opening of two new restaurants in Naas and Cork, creating an additional 150 jobs.”
Next week it launches a new way for customers to place their orders by using self-service kiosks, pay by card and then take a seat for the food to be delivered to the table by staff. The fast food chain is also launching a so-called ‘Signature Collection’ of premium thicker-cut beef burgers.
McDonald’s director of operations, Jimmy Edwards said: “We have invested heavily in recent years to give our customers a great experience in terms of both delicious food and a relaxed atmosphere.
“The introduction of both table service and the ‘Signature Collection’ is a very exciting development and we are very much looking forward to extending these innovations across our network of 90 restaurants around Ireland in the coming years.”
The new service will be available at The Square, Belgard Road, Dublin Airport T1, Donaghmede, Carrickmines, and Lucan Drive-Thru.
It is also being launched at the Kilkenny Drive- Thru, the Naas Drive Thru and in Dundalk. Each year, McDonald’s buys 40,000 tonnes of Irish beef.
The company claims that if it were an export destination for Irish beef exports, it would rank as the fourth largest. Numbers employed by the firm last year increased from 907 to 941.
Staff costs increased by 8% to €19.9m. The profits also take account of non-cash depreciation costs of €4.5m. Accumulated profits last year stood at €120m.
The firm’s cash during the year fell from €39.6m to €34.9m, and also incurred operating lease costs of €12.85m. McDonald’s first came to Ireland in 1977.
