Many businesses take advantage of the summer by allowing more flexible work options, reducing labor hours, and scheduling “Summer Fridays.”
As one of the largest fast-food chains worldwide, with over 43,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries, 13,500 of which are in the U.S., McDonald’s approach is the complete opposite, since this time of the year is its busiest.
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And the company has aspirations to continue expanding its footprint for years to come.
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In 2023, McDonald’s announced its goal to reach 50,000 restaurants by 2027, with 900 opening in the U.S., fostering one of the fastest periods of growth in the company’s history.
Now, it has another goal that goes hand-in-hand with expansion.
McDonald’s (MCD) revealed a plan to hire up to 375,000 workers across its U.S. restaurants this summer, marking one of the company’s biggest hiring pushes in years.
With many people looking for jobs amid an uncertain economy and tighter budgets, this news comes at the perfect time, since McDonald’s emphasizes that the new hires will be for permanent positions.
The fast-food giant’s last mass hiring spree happened in 2020, when it announced plans to hire 260,000 for all the restaurants it was reopening after the Covid pandemic forced many businesses to close temporarily.
Related: Another fast-food burger chain is quietly closing locations
McDonald’s mass hiring announcement is very optimistic, considering it has been struggling with declining sales and a slowdown in foot traffic.
The chain’s U.S. comparable sales decreased 3.6% in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to last year, which it claims was driven by negative comparable guest count. Its total revenues were also down 3%, and systemwide sales decreased 1%.
However, the third quarter of fiscal 2024, which covers most of the summer months, reflected slightly more positive growth.
During that time, McDonald’s comparable sales were up 0.3% compared to the same period the previous year, and total revenues increased 2%, but systemwide sales were flat.
Hiring sprees seem to be a trend among restaurant chains, because McDonald’s is not the only one predicting sales increases and traffic.
Chipotle (CMG) launched a hiring campaign in February, unveiling plans to hire 20,000 additional employees from March to May at its more than 3,700 restaurants as it prepares for “Burrito Season,” the restaurant chain‘s busiest time of the year.
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