KUALA LUMPUR: McDonald's Malaysia plans to invest a total of RM1.35 billion over the next five years to open 205 new restaurants, bringing the total up to 500 restaurants in the country by 2026.
Given its growth trajectory and ongoing business uptrend, McDonald's also expects to offer more than 50,000 career opportunities for Malaysians by 2026.
McDonald's Malaysia announced its five-year business expansion plans after achieving a 15 percent year-on-year growth in 2021.
The company attributed the performance to strategic management decisions focused on several key business drivers.
Overall, the company looks to continue the upward trajectory and maintaining its momentum which saw its 2021 business performance returning to pre-pandemic levels and outperforming its 2019 results.
"Staying true to its 'Malaysians Serving Malaysians' philosophy, the quick service restaurant remains committed to hiring 100 per cent Malaysians to join its workforce," it said today.
Managing director and local operating partner Datuk Azmir Jaafar said the 50,000 job vacancies would help fuel the company's growth and support ongoing restaurant operations which have significantly evolved over the last two years.
Azmir said with the introduction of more table service in the restaurants, double track drive-thru outlets, increased delivery services as well as adherence to health and social distancing guidelines, the company will require additional staffing to ensure quality and standard of service remains top notch.
"We aim to offer Malaysians more than just jobs but also meaningful careers at McDonald's.
"Today, an individual may join as a restaurant crew, but given the right training and guidance, they can easily rise through the ranks within McDonald's in a few years," he said.
According to Azmir, McDonald's commitment to strengthening youth employability is well recognised in the hospitality industry.
"Today, Malaysian youths can kick start their career via the McDonald's Vocational Apprenticeship Programme under the government's National Dual Training System (SLDN)," added Azmir, noting that McDonald's was aiming to invest RM300 million in training and development programmes by 2026.
McDonald's Malaysia is the first quick-service restaurant operator in the country to be awarded the SLDN accreditation by the Department of Skills Development (DSD) of the Ministry of Human Resources.
As of 2021, McDonald's Malaysia trained more than 3,500 youths who are now gainfully employed in the hospitality industry.
In line with the company's vision 2026, the quick service restaurant aims to produce up to 15,000 Vocational Academy apprentices in the next five years.
Currently, more than 80 per cent of McDonald's full-time employees are already earning a minimum of RM1500 in basic salary per month.
By the end of 2022, McDonald's will be adjusting the wages of its full-time staff in support of the government's latest proposal to raise the minimum wage, a testament to its 'people-first' commitment.