McDonald's adds nearly £400m to South West's economy yearly

The report, commissioned to mark the company's 50th year in the UK, reveals the business and its suppliers have contributed £394.6 million annually to the South West.

Its direct economic contribution in 2023, excluding its supply chain, totalled £263.3 million, with 12,305 people, including 825 in Swindon, employed directly across the company’s 102 South West restaurants.

The ‘McDonald’s at 50’ report was produced to understand the value McDonald’s has added to the UK economy, communities, its employees, customers and suppliers since it first started operating in the UK.

McDonald's team litter picking at Cheltenham Festival (Image: Kevin Fern)

It builds on economic data published five years ago, shedding light on the company’s contribution to UK cities, both through job creation and the broader economic impact courtesy its supply chain.

In addition to restaurant jobs, the South West is home to one of McDonald’s biggest suppliers - Schreiber Foods in Gloucester.

Through partners like Schreiber Foods - and the wider induced effects of its operations and supply chain – McDonald’s contributes a further £131.3 million per year to the South West economy and 1,785 extra jobs.

McDonald’s franchisee, Ralph Parker, who owns and operates 12 restaurants across the South West and Wales, said: "Creating and sustaining jobs across the South West is of huge importance to me, and the fact that we have been able to make a significant financial contribution to the area is something my team and I are very proud of.

McDonald's Fun Football Festival (Image: Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

"We have so many opportunities available to young people and it’s great to see so many of them taking advantage and gaining qualifications while they work – there is no longer a need to decide between learning and earning.

"I believe in investing in my staff and helping to provide them not only with an interesting and enjoyable place to work, but also to give them qualifications that they can draw upon throughout their life.

"It’s also been amazing to see the impact McDonald’s restaurants are having across local communities.

"From community initiatives to litter picks and outreach programmes, our restaurants and crew are constantly thinking of ways to support their local communities.”

The report found the business and its supply chain is worth around £7.25 billion annually to the UK economy, including wider, induced effects.

It also found over the past 50 years, the total economic contribution is £94.45 billion.