McDonald's 'boosts Shropshire by £12 million a year'

After commissioning an independent report into its economic impact in the UK, McDonald's said that including the wages paid directly to its staff, those in the supply chain, and in the spend by staff in the local area, the company injects £2.5 billion a year to the UK, and £12 million to Shropshire alone.

Shropshire franchisee Ralph Parker began his McDonald's career more than 28 years ago and now runs three restaurants across Shrewsbury and Whitchurch, contributing £3 million to the local economy and employing 300 people.

He said: "Being part of the Shropshire community is hugely important to me, and I'm thrilled to see the impact our jobs contribution in particular has made to the local area.

"I am firm a believer that you need to be part of a community to be successful in that community, and as such I am passionate about giving young people especially the chance to get workplace experience. We have a fantastic education programme in place that we have worked hard to build, meaning that all of my people, from a crew member starting out in their first job, to a restaurant manager have the chance to learn while they earn.

"My ambition is to continue the great work that my teams are already doing in Shropshire from daily litter patrols and helping with Shrewsbury's annual job fair, to supporting larger scale community events for many more years to come."

McDonald's opened its first Shropshire-based restaurant in March 1982 in Telford. The town now has four restaurants, while Shrewsbury has three, and Whitchurch and Newtown one each. Ludlow, the foodie capital of the Midlands, has yet to be touched by the chain.

Jill McDonald, north west division president and chief executive of McDonald's UK, said: "To mark our 40 years in the UK we wanted to take a close look at our economic and community impact, from the jobs we have created to the world leading supply chain we have built.

"I'm incredibly proud of the investments we have been able to make and how our franchisees and employees are at the heart of hundreds of communities across the UK.

"By taking a responsible and long-term approach we have been able to support jobs for local people and create opportunities for UK-based businesses.

"Our continued growth will enable us to further expand our workforce with 8,000 new jobs created over the next three years, and in many cases give thousands of young people a valuable opportunity to start building their careers."