McDonald's creates 30 jobs in Kent
Comments |
by business
editor Trevor Sturgess
McDonald's, the fast food chain,
is creating 30 jobs across the county as part of a £1.5million
restaurant makeover.
Five restaurants are being given a facelift, starting in the
summer and going on until the end of the year. The 30 jobs are part
of a nationwide recruitment drive for 5,000 extra staff, boosting
the total UK workforce to 85,000.
McDonald's enjoyed a successful 2009 which saw the Big Mac chain
gain market share and post a second year of double digit
growth.
The latest investment builds on what McDonald's calls
"substantial" sums injected into the restaurants by individual
restaurant owners and operators.
The outlets in Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells, and St
Georges Street, Canterbury, will be the first to have a £300,000
design makeover. Stour Retail Park, also in Canterbury, Biggin
Street, Dover and Tunbridge Wells Business Park will follow.
McDonald's says the redesigned restaurants will be bright and
modern inside and out, with WiFi, new seating layouts and longer
opening hours. Kitchens will also be revamped, and staff given
better rest facilities with "comfortable" seating, television and a
computer.
The new look comes as McDonald’s extends its menu to include a
range of salads, porridge, fruit bags and Rainforest
Alliance-certified coffee made with organic British milk.
McDonald's also says it will encourage staff to study for GCSE
equivalent qualifications in Maths or English online as part of a
skills development programme.
Richard Forte, chief operations officer, said: "We're delighted
to continue our extensive reimaging programme in Kent and bring an
extra boost to the local economy. Changes at our restaurants are
well received by our customers so we will continue to bring a more
modern and convenient eating-out experience to them.
"At McDonald's we believe in investing in people and are pleased
to provide job opportunities in Kent, particularly when youth
unemployment is at an all-time high."
He added 80 per cent of its restaurant managers started off as
hourly-paid staff. "We're proud to help young people get a decent
foot on the career ladder."
Monday, March 01 2010
The KM Group does not moderate comments.
Please click here for our house rules.