McDonald’s contributes £29.1 million to Bristol employing more than 1,000 people

Without including its supply chain, in 2023 alone, McDonald’s direct economic contribution across the South West totalled approximately £263.3m**, with the 102 South West restaurants directly employing 12,305 people***.

Despite the turbulence of the last five years, with many businesses facing challenging times, McDonald’s has continued to invest in local towns and cities across the UK, where restaurants are often at the heart of the community

The ‘McDonald’s at 50’ report,was produced to understand the value McDonald’s has added to the UK economy, local communities, its employees, customers and suppliers since it first started operating in the UK. The new report was commissioned to mark McDonald’s 50th anniversary in the UK and builds on economic data published five years ago.

It looks at McDonald’s significant contribution to the UK’s cities, through jobs created in restaurants and the wider economic impact through its supply chain. Full breakdown of the major cities in the South West:

Bournemouth

Total jobs created - 1,230

Total GVA created - N/A

Bristol

Total jobs created - 1,090

Total GVA created - £29.1m

Swindon

Total jobs created - 825

Total GVA created - N/A

Plymouth

Total jobs created - 820

Total GVA created - N/A

Gloucester

Total jobs created - 665

Total GVA created - N/A

Exeter

Total jobs created - 275

Total GVA created - N/A

In addition to restaurant jobs, the South West is home to one of McDonald’s biggest suppliers; Schreiber Foods in Gloucester, which supplies dairy products to all UK restaurants. Through partners, such as Schreiber Foods - and the wider induced effects of its operations and supply chain – McDonald’s contributes a further £131.3 million per annum to the South West economy and 1,785 extra jobs.

McDonald’s believes in playing an active role in the local communities in which it operates and through its programme, Makin’ It, in partnership with BBC Children in Need, is committed to partnering every restaurant across the UK with youth services. The initiative harnesses the power of youth work to provide safe, welcoming spaces in restaurants and funds programmes to provide training, real-world experience and opportunities for young people. Successful local McDonald’s partnerships include Youth Connect South West (Bath), The Door (Stroud) and Young Bristol.

Franchisees and their teams go above and beyond to give back to and champion their local communities. Some recent highlights include a mass litter pick at Cheltenham Festival, community work in Exeter and Fun Football Festivals in Bristol. The festivals are family fun days giving hundreds of 5–11-year-olds the opportunity to enjoy football for free!

McDonald’s Franchisee, Ralph Parker, who owns and operates 12 restaurants across the South West & 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.

"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 finds that overall, the business and its supply chain is estimated to be worth £7.25 billion annually to the UK economy (including wider, induced effects) – and that over the past 50 years, the total economic contribution is £94.45 billion, with £51.56 billion spent with UK supply chain businesses****.

McDonald’s growth over the last 50 years has seen the level of employment supported by McDonald’s and Franchisees increase from one restaurant in 1974 to 94,600 direct employees in 2013 to 171,415 in 2023.