McDonald’s Malaysia is investing RM1.4 billion (US$325.8 million) into increasing its restaurant numbers to 450 by 2025.

There are now 262 restaurants in the network, with 12,000 employees serving 160 million customers annually. These include more than 150 drive-through restaurants, 200 “24-hour” restaurants, more than 90 restaurants with delivery services and more than 100 McCafes.

MD Azmir Jaafar says the group achieved year-on-year revenue growth of 16 per cent last year and he is confident the trend is continuing this year.

He was speaking after the launch yesterday of a joint marketing partnership between McDonald’s Malaysia and Fraser and Neave (F&N) Beverages Marketing in Petaling Jaya.

Jaafar says the expansion, under a new developmental licensee (DL) ownership, could create 6000 more jobs. McDonald’s Corp sold its Malaysia and Singapore franchise licence late last year to Saudi group Lionhorn, which already holds a DL for the chain for the western and southern regions of Saudi Arabia.

“Under the DL structure, only shareholder ownership was changed as McDonald’s Malaysia was fully bought up by a new company, Tiger Arches, which is part of the Lionhorn group. The management will continue the expansion strategy and programs.”