Retro Happy Meal toys to make a comeback at McDonald's

This festive season, McDonald’s India – North and East is elevating the by introducing the all-new McCrispy Range, a mouth-watering addition to the menu, perfect for adding extra crisp to your celebrations. 

Introducing the McCrispy Chicken Burger and Crispy Veggie Burger- two exciting new menu additions that promise to light up customers’ taste buds with an explosion of flavour, making your festive feast truly unforgettable.

The global favourite McCrispy Chicken Burger makes its debut with a crunch so perfect; that it could be the highlight of your festive playlist. Add to that the Crispy Veggie Burger—packed with flavours and a satisfying crunch—and you’ve got the perfect duo to elevate your celebrations to the next level. 

“At McDonald's India - North & East, we are passionate about understanding evolving tastes and needs of our customers and meeting them through constant menu innovations. This festive season, we’re excited to add joy to the celebrations of our customers with our sensational new offerings - McCrispy Chicken Burger and Crispy Veggie Burger,” shared Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald's India - North and East.

The two mouth-watering options: McCrispy Burger and the Crispy Veggie Burger are starting at INR 199 & 179 respectively. 

The new Crispy Burger is perfect for a delicious meal on the go, and can be relished at the nearest McDonald's restaurant, through Delivery (Swiggy, Zomato or Magic Pin), takeaway, or drive thru.

McDonald’s collectibles are as iconic as they come. From toys to vintage posters, plates, merch, games and trading cards, these keepsakes are more than just collector’s items. Now, for a limited time, McDonald’s is introducing the global Collector's Edition with new collectible cups that inspire fans to relive those special moments and create nostalgic joy for a new generation.

Available in more than 30 countries, the Collector’s Edition cups, in embossed glass or tritan plastic, put a fresh spin on classic McDonald’s keepsakes from the brand, Coca-Cola, Mattel, Universal, Sanrio or TY Beanie Babies. 

Each cup spotlights iconic collectibles from different eras that our fans cherish, like the Grimace Mug in 1976, Pet Lovin’ Barbie in 1999, Shrek from ‘Shrek the Third’ in 2007 and more. Inspired by a variety of iconic characters and collabs, now is your chance to grab these reimagined designs among many others – this time, emblazoned on McDonald’s brand-new collectible cups.

“There’s an undeniable thrill when you snag that one elusive McDonald’s collectible or the final piece to complete your collection. We’re bringing back some of our most-loved keepsakes with a twist, giving fans a memory that they can hold in their hands,” said Morgan Flatley, Global Chief Marketing Officer and Head of New Business Ventures at McDonald's.

McDonald's has announced the termination of its Automated Order Taker (AOT) system powered by AI technology, according to a brand statement.

The fast-food giant, headquartered in Chicago, has been utilizing AI at drive-thrus in collaboration with IBM since 2021. However, the system has faced challenges with inaccurate orders, such as adding bacon to ice cream and excessive sweet tea orders, as reported by the New York Post.

"Through our partnership with IBM, we have captured many learnings and feel there is an opportunity to explore voice ordering solutions more broadly. After thoughtful review, McDonald's has decided to end our current global partnership with IBM on AOT beyond this year. IBM remains a trusted partner and we will still utilize many of their products across our global System," the brand stated.

AI ordering technology is currently implemented in over 100 McDonald's drive-thrus.

McDonald’s India - North and East has launched latest Chicken Surprise burger during the summer holidays. 

A pocket-friendly delight, this delectable burger is set to tantalize taste buds across the region at an introductory price of Rs. 65/-* for the a-la-carte (original price Rs. 69/-). 

McDonald’s Chicken Surprise meal is available as part of McDeal value meal starting @99/- that includes French fries and coke, offering customers an incredible value and satisfying flavourful meal experience.

“At McDonald's India - North & East, we are passionate about understanding evolving tastes and needs of our customers through our menu innovations. We are committed to offer exciting customer centric, high quality McDonald’s food and experiences. Our new addition - Chicken Surprise burger offers an irresistible choice for chicken lovers with flavourful, juicy chicken taste and the signature crunch they love,” shared Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India - North and East.

Tastefully crafted with high quality ingredients, Chicken Surprise burger comes with a succulent crispy golden chicken patty nestled between a soft, toasted bun and generously topped with chipotle sauce, shredded onion. Customers also have the choice to personalize their burger by opting for whole wheat bun, double patties, and additional toppings of their choice such as lettuce, tomato, and cheese slice to elevate their dining experience. 

Customers can enjoy it across McDonald’s North and East India restaurants (except pure-vegetarian restaurants) or through McDelivery (Swiggy, Zomato or Magic Pin), or through takeaway, or drive-thru.

McDonald’s South and West operator Westlife FoodWorld has appointed Hrushit Shah as its chief financial officer (CFO), with effect from May 9, 2024, it shared in a regulatory filing today.

Shah will take over the role from Saurabh Bhudolia who is transitioning out of the company to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities.

“On behalf of Westlife, I express our gratitude to our departing CFO, Saurabh Bhudolia, whose dedication and financial expertise have greatly contributed to our company's growth. His efforts have been crucial in strengthening our financial resilience and strategy. As we move forward, we are grateful for the strong foundation Saurabh has helped build,” said Saurabh Kalra, MD, Westlife Foodworld.

In his new role, Shah who comes with over 18 years of experience, will work closely with the leadership team to devise financial strategies and will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial management to ensure the company’s financial success.

Before joining Westlife, Shah was VP of finance at Pidilite Industries and has also worked with organizations such as the Landmark Group, Godrej Consumer Products, and Marico.

McDonald's Corporation will purchase all 225 restaurant locations in Israel from franchisee Alonyal Limited, owned by Omri Padan.
According to the release, Omri Padan, CEO and owner of Alonyal Limited, announced that an agreement to sell Alonyal to McDonald’s Corporation has been signed. 

Alonyal, which owns and operates McDonald’s restaurants in Israel, started the McDonald’s brand journey in Israel more than 30 years ago and has grown the business to 225 restaurants and more than 5,000 employees. 

Upon completion of the transaction, McDonald’s Corporation will own Alonyal Limited’s restaurants and operations, and employees will be retained on equivalent terms.

“For more than 30 years, Alonyal Limited has been proud to bring the Golden Arches to Israel and serve our communities. We’ve grown the brand to be the leading and most successful restaurant chain in Israel and are grateful to our management, employees, suppliers, and customers who made this possible. We are encouraged by what the future holds,” said Omri Padan, CEO and owner of Alonyal Limited.

The agreement is subject to certain conditions, with closing anticipated in the coming months.

“We thank Alonyal Limited for building the McDonald’s business and brand in Israel over the past 30 years. McDonald’s remains committed to the Israeli market and to ensuring a positive employee and customer experience in the market going forward,” said Jo Sempels, President of International Developmental Licensed Markets at McDonald’s Corporation.

Krispy Kreme said its donuts would be available across McDonald's U.S. restaurants by the end of 2026 as the companies expand a pilot project, sending its shares surging 23% on Tuesday.

The companies were testing the program in 160 McDonald's restaurants in the Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky areas as part of the partnership that began in October 2022.

The phased roll-out of the program will begin in the second half of 2024, the companies said.

Krispy Kreme said it would not supply its donuts to any other quick service restaurant in the U.S. through Dec. 31, 2026, as part of the agreement.

The company has been aiming to open its outlets in at least 75,000 points of access such as quick-service restaurants and grocery stores around the world through a hub-and-spoke model.

Krispy Kreme said in February that it ended 2023 with 2,300 more points of access than 2022.

The company's shares were at an eight-month high, and were headed for their highest percentage rise ever, at current levels.

McDonald's has about 14,000 stores in the U.S., and said in December that it planned to open about 10,000 restaurants globally by 2027.

The company has struggled with weak overseas demand at its restaurants as a result of boycott campaigns against the burger giant in some international markets related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, as well as tough macro economic conditions in China.
 

The apex food safety standards regulator of the country, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the administration of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has verified the cheese used by McDonald’s India as ‘100% Real Cheese’. The verification confirms the brand’s assertion that it uses 100% Real Cheese and that it does not use any cheese analogues or substitutes in any of its products. 

The confirmation from the FSSAI explicitly states that “Articles in question contain Cheese or cheese product as a part of composition and does not contain analogue in dairy context in any form”. This clean chit is a testament to McDonald’s India’s commitment to upholding stringent food quality standards across all its restaurants, at all times.

“The clean chit we have received from FSSAI, the India’s apex food safety standards regulator, affirms that our products contain 100% Real cheese, sourced from globally renowned suppliers. The recent tests conducted by NABL-accredited labs also validate this and the fact that our products do not contain any cheese analogues or substitutes. Since the inception of our operations in 1996, we have maintained a steadfast commitment to the highest levels of food quality. We assure our customers and stakeholders that all our products are crafted with genuine, quality ingredients without any compromises whatsoever,” shared Saurabh Kalra, MD, McDonald's India (W&S) said.

Along with this, McDonald’s India (W&S) received the results of the tests conducted by NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredited lab yesterday, also confirming the use of 100% Real Cheese across its products. 

Pursuant to the clean chit, McDonald’s India (W&S) has retained the term "cheese" in the names of its products containing cheese and remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency and consumer trust.

After Maharashtra's Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) conducted a crackdown, McDonald's has reassured its customers that it strictly utilizes "authentic, premium-grade cheese" in its offerings.

The FDA alleged deceptive practices by McDonald's regarding the utilization of cheese substitutes in its products.

Consequently, it suspended the license of a McDonald's branch in Ahmednagar, citing findings from its investigation which indicated the use of cheese analogs or proprietary food instead of authentic cheese by the fast-food giant.

"We received complaints and feedback from customers suggesting that McDonald's and other food chains should accurately list the ingredients of their food items on menu cards and display boards," stated Abhimanyu Kale, the Commissioner of the agency. Source, NDTV Profit.

"In our investigation, we discovered that they were employing cheese analogs or proprietary food substitutes rather than authentic cheese. Subsequently, following our observations, the outlets were shut down by inspectors," Mr. Kale further explained.

Following a month-long investigation conducted last year, the agency discovered that McDonald's was incorporating less expensive cheese substitutes such as vegetable oil in burgers and nuggets.

It alleged that the fast-food chain utilized cheese alternatives in numerous items without appropriate labeling, leading customers to believe they were consuming genuine cheese.

Consequently, the FDA suspended the license of the Ahmednagar outlet and insisted that it disclose the accurate ingredients on its menus and display boards in accordance with the norms set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

As a result of these findings, the fast-food chain decided to eliminate the term "cheese" from several of its products.

Westlife Foodworld Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hardcastle Restaurants Private Limited and the operator of McDonald's outlets in West and South India, also issued a statement addressing the report.

Westlife stated, "We exclusively utilize authentic, premium-grade cheese in all products containing cheese."

The operator of McDonald's further expressed, "We are actively communicating with the appropriate authorities regarding this matter and await their definitive clarification."

The statement emphasized, "We have consistently maintained strict adherence to rigorous food standards and comply fully with all relevant food regulations.

Our dedication to transparency in disclosing our ingredients and our unwavering commitment to delivering delicious, high-quality meals to our customers remain steadfast."

This incident has led the FDA to contemplate investigating other fast-food chains for comparable actions.

Mr. Kale stated in a release that the FDA will persist in inspecting food establishments to guarantee adherence to regulatory standards for the benefit of customers. He mentioned that if needed, state authorities will liaise with the FSSAI for potential nationwide measures.

McDonald’s India West and South – owned and operated by Westlife Foodworld Ltd - has launched its new offering, McSaver Meals, priced starting at just Rs. 99 for customers in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh and Rs. 149 for customers in other parts of West and South India. 

More than just a great deal, McSaver Meals redefines the concept of ‘value’ by bringing alive the ‘feel-good’ moments the brand enables, thus making the unparalleled taste and quality of its iconic meals more accessible to our customers.

“At McDonald's India (W&S), our focus has always been on creating unforgettable memories and deliver feel-good moments to our customers. With our new ad campaign, we wanted to showcase the irresistible value of McSaver Meals and the moments of joy and connections that our valued customers can experience while enjoying these affordable meals.. Through initiatives like McSaver Meals, we reaffirm that McDonald's is the best value-for-money QSR destinations for anyone, at any time of the day,” shared Arvind R.P., Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald’s India (W&S).

McSaver Meals offer a wide range of choices, ensuring there's something for everyone's taste. Customers can enjoy regular meals of McVeggie, McChicken, McAloo Tikki, and Chicken Kebab Burgers, all bundled together at an affordable price. This presents a wonderful opportunity for individuals and families to relish the delightful flavours of McDonald's without straining their budgets.

The third-quarter results from local franchisees of Domino's and McDonald's revealed a decline in Indians' frequency of dining out for pizzas and burgers.

Analysts observed that intense competition and the impact of inflation suppressing demand are anticipated to exert pressure on their earnings in the short run.

Jubilant Foodworks, the operator of Domino's restaurants, experienced an unexpected decline in profits.

Meanwhile, Westlife Foodworld, responsible for operating McDonald's restaurants in the southern and western regions of India, reported a more significant profit drop than anticipated.

In an effort to boost demand, quick-service restaurant (QSR) operators in the country have employed various strategies, including introducing more affordable menu options, offering increased discounts, and reducing packaging expenses.

Despite these measures, they have been unsuccessful in encouraging Indians to dine out more frequently, primarily due to elevated inflation.

These companies, which include the same ones, enjoyed significant gains during the festive season last year, benefiting from an increase in Indians dining out more frequently following several years heavily affected by the pandemic.

The deceleration in demand after the high base of 2023 has not only impacted their earnings but has also led to a negative same-store-sales growth (SSSG), deviating from the typical 5 percent.

Although the weakness in demand "may be approaching its lowest point," achieving the previous same-store-sales growth (SSSG) levels is improbable, according to Karan Taurani, an analyst at Elara Capital.

Amnish Agarwal, an analyst at Prabhudas Lilladher, mentioned that the margins of the two companies are not expected to experience a "substantial rebound." Taurani also noted that the increasing competition from smaller players would continue to put pressure on margins.

Jubilant reported a profit of INR 657.1 million (USD 7.9 million), marking the fifth consecutive quarter of decline and significantly below analyst projections of INR 902.6 million. Additionally, its revenue growth decelerated for the seventh consecutive quarter.

Meanwhile, Westlife recorded its initial decline in revenue in three years, and its profit of INR 172.4 million fell considerably short of analyst expectations, which were pegged at 331.1 million rupees, according to LSEG data.
 

McDonald’s India (West & South) shares its popular products of 2023, emphasizing the brand's commitment to evolving menus and addressing the varied preferences of Indian customers.

The McAloo Tikki Burger is a consistent customer favorite over the years, remains a popular choice for its distinct flavor and nutritional balance. Recognized for providing a well-rounded meal, the burger's combination of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats closely adheres to the proportions recommended by The National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.

The second position in 2023, the McSpicy Chicken burger is closely followed by the McVeggie, McChicken, and Corn & Cheese Burger. These items represent a diverse array of choices on the McDonald’s menu.

Within the McCafe category that features McDonald’s coffee offerings, products such as Cold Coffee, Chocolate & Strawberry shakes, Iced Coffee, and Cappuccino emerged as highly preferred selections in 2023, reflecting a continued interest in beverage options.

Soft Serve maintains its position as the leading choice in the desserts menu for three consecutive years, followed by McSwirl and McFlurry Oreo.

The limited-time offerings, such as KITKAT McFlurry and Minion-themed Banana Caramel McFlurry, also ranked among the top five products in 2022 and 2021.

The dining preferences of 2023 showcased an inclination towards combos and meals for a more fulfilling experience. Notably, the consumption of fries experienced a remarkable increase during the year.

Consistently performing well, the Piri-Piri spice mix has become a favoured accompaniment with fries, nuggets, and burgers, highlighting its sustained popularity among customers.

McDonald’s India's iconic offerings underscore the brand's effective adherence to its BCC (Burgers Chicken Coffee) strategy.

McDonald’s India - North & East introduces new menu addition with the debut of their freshly introduced Kebab rolls.

Priced affordably from INR 139, these rolls offer two options like Paneer Kebab and Chicken Kebab.

"This festive season, we are celebrating Indian flavours through our newly launched Kebab rolls and value wraps. Our latest offerings are all set to satiate your cravings and add a burst of joy to your experience. Whether you are on the move, having office get togethers, or dining-in celebrating with friends and family, our menu promises to be favourite companion of your palate in every consumption occasion”. said Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North and East.

The Kebab rolls are crafted by grilling marinated Paneer or Chicken mixed with finely chopped onions, enclosed in Malabar Paratha for a balanced flavour and they're accompanied by flavorful Mint and Makhani Mayo.

McDonald's ensures the preparation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals takes place in distinct kitchen areas, respecting various cultural, religious, and dietary requirements.

The Kebab rolls can be purchased individually or as part of meal choices at specific McDonald's stores located in the North and East regions.

McDonald’s Corporation and Accenture has announced an expansion of their strategic partnership to help execute McDonald’s strategy to leverage the latest edge technology and apply generative AI solutions across its restaurants worldwide to improve operations as well as customer and crew experience.

Through this work, McDonald’s also will enhance the digital capabilities of its employees.

“In order to unlock the opportunity in our ongoing digital investments, we chose Accenture, our long-time partner who has helped us build our digital foundation, to work with us on this next phase of innovation. Accenture’s deep understanding of our business, our industry, and of course technology, will allow us to leverage the full potential of the cloud and generative AI solutions by implementing advanced practices to quickly leverage those technologies as well as to nurture and empower the talent within our organization,” shared Brian Rice, executive vice president and global chief information officer, McDonald's.

This partnership will help support McDonald’s technology strategy which aims to leverage scale and unlock greater speed and efficiency for customers, restaurant teams, and employees. 

This includes the acceleration of automation innovation from equipment manufacturers, allowing restaurant general managers to quickly spot and enact solutions to reduce business disruptions, ultimately reducing complexity for restaurant crew and leading to customer benefits such as hotter, fresher food.

This phase of innovation is also designed to build an even stronger technology team at McDonald's. Accenture will help train and support McDonald’s global workforce by using Accenture’s learning and development programs, online training courses and boot camps for emerging talent to ensure the workforce has the AI, data and edge computing skills needed in the digital era.

“We are incredibly proud to continue to partner with McDonald’s as they reinvent the customer experience, stay ahead of their customers’ changing needs and reimagine what a restaurant can be. This new work will be a leading example across industries of innovating with tech data and AI at the core, across the cloud continuum, all the way to the edge. And doing so in a way that keeps their people in the forefront, building the skills they need to meet and delight their customers in new ways every day,” added Julie Sweet, chair and CEO, Accenture.

McDonald's India (West and South) collaborates with Mondelez to unveil a collection of desserts.

McDonald’s introduces a unique lineup featuring Cadbury Gems. The new offerings include McFlurry with Gems, Sundae with Gems, along with Chocolate and Strawberry Shakes adorned with these iconic treats.

This limited time collaboration merges McDonald's knack for crafting delightful and convenient delicacies with Mondelez's cherished Gems, a brand that has resonated deeply with Indian consumers for decades.

“We are excited to partner with Mondelez to bring these innovative and playful treats to our desserts-loving fans. Gems have been a childhood favorite for many Indians, and we believe this collaboration will create a delightful experience for all. With this unique and playful twist to our iconic McFlurry and other desserts, we are set to provide our customers an enjoyable treat that will not only satisfy their sweet tooth but also offer novelty.” said Arvind R.P. CMO, McDonald’s India (W&S).

The McFlurry with Gems and Sundae with Gems feature a creamy vanilla soft serve foundation, adorned with a chocolate dip and hot fudge sauce, respectively, and finished with a generous sprinkle of Gems. Meanwhile, the Strawberry Shake and Chocolate Shake with Gems achieve an harmony between creamy smoothness and crunchy delight.

 “We are thrilled to unveil a symphony of flavors with exclusive Cadbury Gems-Topped Desserts with McDonald’s India. This collaboration brings together the iconic Cadbury Gems and McDonald's expertise in crafting delightful treats, promising a delectable experience for dessert enthusiasts. We are excited to contribute to the sweet memories and moments that these treats will undoubtedly create for them.” said Nitin Saini, VP- Marketing, Mondelez India.

The McFlurry with Gems, Chocolate Shake with Gems, Strawberry Shake with Gems, and Sundae with Gems will have a limited-time presence.

They'll be accessible via McDelivery®, takeaway, on-the-go options, dine-in, and Drive-Thru at McDonald’s outlets throughout West and South India.

In its unwavering commitment to delight its customers, McDonald’s India - North & East is thrilled to announce the launch of all-new special Wraps, the perfect on-the-go snacking option. 

Starting at just INR 79, the special wraps offer a diverse range of customizable choices, and make a perfect selection for anyone seeking a flavoursome snack or meal during the festive season.

The festive period wraps are offered ala-carte and in meals at select McDonald's outlets in the North and East regions, as well as through delivery partners, takeout, and drive-thru. 

The wraps are available in three mouth-watering options McAloo Wrap, McEgg Wrap, and Tandoori Chicken wrap. Each wrap is crafted with McDonald's signature patties and a delectable tandoori sauce, all enclosed within soft tortilla bread. This unique combination guarantees a burst of flavors with every bite. 

“Festivals are a time to come together with loved ones, and we understand the importance of family during these special occasions. At McDonald’s, it is a constant endeavour to cater to our consumers with innovative delectable menus with great value. McDonald's special Wraps strike the perfect balance between taste and convenience. Whether you are on the move or having a gathering with friends and family to celebrate the holiday season, these wraps promise to add a touch of delight to your festivities,” shared Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North and East.

The wraps are made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and are available in a variety of options to cater to every taste preference. Meeting the quality and safety standards is of the utmost priority, and food at McDonald's goes through extensive quality checks, from the farm to the table. McDonald's veg and non-veg meals are prepared at separate kitchen stations to incorporate cultural sensitivities, religious beliefs, and dietary preferences.

Adding an exciting chapter to its Cheesy Burgers range, McDonald's India (West & South) has launched Cheesy Italian Burgers in both vegetarian and chicken options. 

These limited-time offerings, along with the highly innovative McCheese burgers, are set to redefine the burger experience, solidifying McDonald's commitment to menu innovations.

In a first, the customers of McDonald’s India will savour the all-new Italian Herb Bun, which brings the authentic Italian taste to the fore. Complemented by a specially crafted Tomato Herb Cheese Sauce, Juicy tomatoes and a Piri-Piri Cheese Slice, these burgers are cheesy, juicy and deliver highly on indulgence and fillingness. 

“We are delighted to introduce the Cheesy Italian burgers for our fans with an aim to make their festive season even more special. These new indulgent offerings, apart from our flagship McCheese burgers, combine traditional Italian flavours with the most loved Cheesy burgers platform. We at McDonald's India continue to push the boundaries of menu innovation delivering the epitome of cheesy indulgence,” shared Arvind R. P., Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald’s India (W&S).

In line with McDonald's commitment to 'Real Food, Real Good', Italian Cheesy Veg Burger and Italian Cheesy Chicken Burger are completely free from artificial colours and artificial flavours. The new burgers also reflect the brand’s constant commitment to using only locally sourced, fresh ingredients in its menu items.

The new Italian Cheesy Veg Burger and Italian Cheesy Chicken Burger are available at McDonald’s outlets across West and South India. They are now also available for ordering via the McDelivery® app, with options for delivery, takeaway on-the-go, and drive-thru. 
 

McDonald's Corporation has announced the retirement of Richard “Rick” Lenny from the McDonald’s Board of Directors, effective October 31, 2023.

“Rick’s contributions to McDonald’s and its Board of Directors over the past 18 years have been immeasurable. His business acumen and extensive experience leading major consumer brands have enabled the Company to advance countless strategic objectives, and he has cultivated a lasting culture of decorum and camaraderie within our Board,” said Enrique Hernandez, Jr., McDonald’s Chairman of the Board.

As Chairman of the Compensation Committee, Rick has helped oversee several important initiatives, including the evolution of the Company’s Executive Compensation program to more fully encompass our business and social impact. A founding member of our Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Committee, he has been a steady voice in the development and evolution of McDonald’s sustainability strategies, shared the release.

“Rick is a civic-minded leader with a keen understanding of the challenges facing people and businesses today, and his counsel has been instrumental in helping position the Company and our System for long-term growth,” said Chris Kempczinski, McDonald's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Lenny joined McDonald’s Board of Directors in 2005 and has served as the Chair of the Compensation Committee since 2019. In addition to his service to McDonald’s, Lenny serves on the Boards of Conagra Brands and Illinois Tool Works.

“It has been an honor to serve on McDonald’s Board for the last 18 years, supporting the Company as it has successfully navigated an ever-evolving macroeconomic and industry landscape. I am particularly proud of the work we’ve done to reward our shareholders exceptionally well over the long-term and serve them through sound governance, oversight and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right,” said Lenny.

McDonald’s India (West & South) has launched the nation’s first-ever Airport Drive-Thru Restaurant in Mumbai. 

Strategically located just 100 meters from Terminal 2 (T2) of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), this is also the first McDonald’s restaurant in Mumbai to operate 24x7. 

This Experience of the Future (EOTF) restaurant is all set to provide quality food, convenience, and quick service to travelers and locals alike.

With this path-breaking initiative, McDonald’s India further strengthens its position as an industry leader and innovator. 
The Airport Drive-Thru Restaurant will cater to thousands of travelers in T2, airport staff, and local residents, meeting their demands for quick and delicious meals at any time of the day.

“We are delighted to introduce India’s first-ever Airport Drive-Thru Restaurant in Mumbai, a city that is always on the go. This innovative concept is a significant step toward our continuous commitment to enhancing customer experience, catering to their evolving needs, and offering them the best possible dining experience,” shared Saurabh Kalra, MD, McDonald’s India (W&S).

The Drive-Thru restaurant boasts of numerous innovative features, which will offer customers the experience of the future:

Dedicated Drive-Thru lane and Customer Ordering Display (COD) for customers to seamlessly order and enjoy their meals on-the-go, Instant order in just 120 seconds as part of McDonald’s India Service Guarantee programme, 4 Self Ordering Kiosks (SOK) installed at the restaurant to help customers save time and offer a quick, digital, and smart ordering experience Premium and spacious seating experience. This new addition expands McDonald’s presence at T2, bringing the total count to three restaurants within the airport.

Spanning over 3,000 sq. ft., this unique Drive-Thru with McCafe provides customers with a seamless experience through its drive-thru lanes, dine-in area, and takeaway counter. 

The menu features McDonald’s signature dishes, such as the McAloo Tikki, McVeggie, McChicken, great tasting coffee, and desserts, along with sides, shakes, and coolers to cater to the diverse palate of Mumbaikars and millions of travelers from across the globe.

McDonald’s India remains committed to building Drive-Thru destination stores across all city suburbs and national highways, with 30-35% of new stores in the next 4-5 years likely to be Drive-Thrus. In the West and Southern parts of the country, the Golden Arches are present in 58 cities with 361 restaurants (as on June 30, 2023), 69 of which are Drive-Thrus.
 

Westlife Foodworld Limited (WFL) and the owner-operator of McDonald's restaurants across West and South India, has reported a sales growth of Rs. 6.14bn, marking a 14% YoY increase driven primarily by a 7% YoY Same Store Sales Growth (SSSG) in Q1 FY24.

The company reported a Cash PAT of Rs. 670mn, a 22% increase year on year. Backed by a robust increase in guest count, the on-premise business saw an 18% YoY growth, while the off-premise business expanded by 9% YoY on a high base. Overall Digital sales saw significant growth accounting for 64% of total sales on the back of Self-Ordering-Kiosks at restaurants and McDonald’s Apps, thereby bringing a seamless digital experience come alive for our customers. 

“We are pleased with our first-quarter performance, which reflects the resilience of our business model and the strength of the McDonald's brand in West & South India. Despite the challenging market conditions, we have been able to drive growth by focusing on core menu innovation, digital transformation, and enhancing customer convenience.  Our commitment to serving good quality food and constantly improving the customer experience continues to be the cornerstone of our success. The first-quarter results reinforce our commitment to further strengthen our position as a leader in the QSR industry,” shared Amit Jatia, Chairperson of Westlife Foodworld Limited.

Westlife's Restaurant Operating Margin stood at Rs. 1,412mn, with a YoY growth of 21%. The ROM (%) for the quarter was 23% compared to 21.6% in Q1 FY23. Despite inflationary pressures, the company's Operating EBIDTA was Rs. 1,053mn, a growth of 14% YoY. The average sales per store (TTM) rose to Rs. 66.9mn, up from Rs. 57.4mn in Q1 FY23.

The Westlife board approved an interim dividend of Rs 3.45 per share which is around 173% of its face value, amounting to about Rs. 538 mn. 

As of June 2023, Westlife operates 361 restaurants across 58 cities, with four new stores opened in Q1. The company plans to add 40-45 new stores in FY24 and aims to reach between 580-630 stores by 2027.

This quarter, Westlife launched the new Piri-Piri McSpicy range, bolstering its supremacy in the burger segment and expanding its McSpicy platform. Further, the company roped in the megastar Jr. NTR to introduce McSpicy Chicken Sharers on the McDonald’s menu in the South Market. The brand also rolled out its Jain-Friendly menu, an offering devoid of onions, garlic, and roots as a part of its Eatqual initiative.

Westlife has strategically focused its efforts on store modernization, enhancing digital capabilities, and menu innovation, particularly in the burger meals, chicken, and McCafe categories, to meet the diverse tastes of its consumers.
 

McDonald's India - North and East has joined hands with Coca-Cola India to bring Mixology platform to India, in its endeavour of meeting the ever-evolving needs of consumers. 

The speciality beverages platform brings forth a variety of flavours and experiences for the consumers. To start with, two new beverages - Coca-Cola X Masala and Sprite X Chili Guava have been added to the McDonald’s menu across the North and East region.

The unique flavours have been specially curated, keeping in mind consumer preferences. Coca-Cola X Masala is a mix of Tamarind, Rock Salt and Spices to tantalize the taste buds, whereas Sprite X Chili Guava includes the delicious taste of Guava, with a hint of spice. Consumers can now enjoy their favourite McDonald’s food paired with Coca-Cola X Masala and Sprite X Chili Guava.

“Our endeavour is to delight our customers through innovative menu offerings. Developed together with the Coca-Cola team, these refreshing beverages are crafted to offer the perfect fusion and balance between Coca-Cola range of sparkling beverages, delicious spices and tantalisingly refreshing flavours,” shared Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North and East.
Coca-Cola X Masala and Sprite X Chilli Guava are now available across McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India or through Swiggy, Zomato or Magic Pin), as well as at takeaway, or drive-thru.

“We are delighted to bring the global Mixology Platform to India with the launch of Coca-Cola X Masala and Sprite X Chili Guava. We’re really excited about this innovation – great to see our beverages come to life in a new way with familiar flavours that cater to the Indian palette and consumers who want to mix things up,” added Abhishek Gupta, Chief Customer Officer, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia.

In the last 10 days we have seen tomato prices touching sky in most part of the country. From 25-35 rupees a kilogram, the prices have gone up to Rs 150 for a kilogram in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and others parts of the country.

And, this has pushed restaurants to remove tomatoes from their menu. In a recent announcement, McDonald’s (North & East) has removed tomatoes from their burgers and other food items in many parts of India. 

This action by the largest burger chain in the country comes as tomato prices have skyrocketed in the last month. 

The QSR chain on Friday said it is dropping tomatoes from its menu items due to a “temporary” seasonal issue in procurement and that they will bring back them on the menu soon. 

A large number of its outlets in the national capital also hung a notice about the unavailability of tomatoes. 

Owing to factors such as prolonged heatwaves and heavy rain in certain geographies, tomato prices have skyrocketed in the last month, forcing many state governments to take action. In some regions, wholesale prices of tomatoes have tripled in a month to a high of 140 rupees, with retail prices even higher.

However, denying that McDonald’s is dropping tomatoes from menu because of soaring prices, a spokesperson shared, "We reiterate that it is not due to the surge in the prices. It is only due to the non-availability of tomatoes meeting our quality specifications."

He also mentioned that restaurants in Punjab-Chandigarh area where the brand is able to source the commodity in adequate quantities, McDonald's continues to serve tomatoes in its menu.

"We are working towards resolving this issue by employing sustainable agriculture practices including hydroponically-grown tomatoes in a completely controlled environment to de-risk our requirements from vagaries of season," he added by pointing that the restaurant will be able to bring back tomatoes to the menu soon.

McDonald’s India (West & South) has embarked on a unique journey of beverage innovation in collaboration with Coca-Cola India, to bring the global ‘Mixology’ platform to India. 

The company launched new refreshing beverages - ‘Masala Pop X Coke’ and ‘Chilli Guava X Sprite’. It is a revolutionary concoction of traditional Indian flavours intertwined with the classic essence of Coke and Sprite. 

The four new, fun and innovative non-alcoholic specialty beverages are curated to provide customers an exciting fizzy experience of Coke and Sprite with a new twist.

“We feel the Mixology range is a bold testament to the boundless potential of beverage innovation when traditional Indian flavours meet the world-renowned fizzy drinks of Coca-Cola. At McDonald's India we are committed to menu innovation and delivering value to the customers. We believe these new offerings will enhance our customers’ dining experience with us,” shared Arvind R.P., Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald’s India (W&S).

Born from a desire to mix, this beverage platform embodies millennials and Gen Z’s refreshing mix of styles, individualities, and identities, which gets reflected in the two newly launched flavours as well. 

“We are delighted to bring the global Mixology Platform to India with the launch of Coca-Cola X Masala and Sprite X Chili Guava. We’re really excited about this innovation – great to see our beverages come to life in a new way with familiar flavours that cater to the Indian palette and consumers who want to mix things up! The launch is a testament to the longstanding relationship between Coca-Cola and McDonald’s and a joint commitment to creating new and refreshing experiences for our consumers,” added Abhishek Gupta, Chief Customer Officer, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia.

Both Masala Pop and Chilli Guava variants are now available for order via the McDelivery® app, with options for delivery, takeaway, and on-the-go, as well as for dine-in and Drive-Thru service at McDonald’s outlets across West and South India.

McDonald's Turkey has taken technological innovation to a next level by creating a drink menu using AI. 

"The Recipes from my ImaginAIon" smoothie menu is available at select McCafe branches in Istanbul, shared reports.

"In the present era, there is a notable fascination, particularly among the youth, with artificial intelligence-driven programs encompassing image, video and audio domains. With the responsibility of being a brand that adopts the principle of making everyone happy, we prepared an extraordinary project based on the expectations and demands of young people,” shared Özdeş Dönen Artak, CMO, McDonald's Turkey in the release.

The QSR chain has used ChatGPT to design the smoothie menu, which includes the Unicorn Smoothie and the Lemon Chiller Smoothie available for a limited time.

“We entrusted ChatGPT to create drink recipes that would resonate with these aspirations. Consequently, it bestowed upon us the extraordinary 'Recipes from my ImaginAIon' menu. In collaboration with our McCafé baristas, we successfully brought this innovative menu to life and presented it to our cherished customers within the Istanbul's popular McCafé branches. We invite everyone to experience these digital flavors that will be on sale for a limited time,” Artak mentioned.
McDonald's operates 250 outlets in Turkey, employing nearly 7,000 people.
 

Adding another degree of excitement to its signature McSpicy Fried Chicken range, McDonald's India (West and South), has taken a power-packed leap by signing the Young Tiger of Tollywood, NTR Jr as its brand ambassador, who recently made the entire world dance to the tune of Oscar-winning ‘Naatu-Naatu’.

The brand has launched an action-packed TV commercial conceptualized by DDB Mudra, featuring the mass super star wherein he is seen driving the message #DontExplainJustShare in his quintessential cheeky style.

“I'm happy to join McDonalds’s (W&S) as their brand ambassador for McSpicy Chicken Sharers! It is an iconic brand that resonates with millions of people across the world, and to be a part of this journey feels amazing. I have always believed in collaborating and sharing, and the McSpicy Chicken Sharers speaks volumes about this spirit - #DontExplainDontShare,” said NTR Jr.

The brand has reimagined the offering of its marquee chicken range – McSpicy Fried Chicken by introducing the ‘McSpicy Chicken Sharers’ in first-time ever sharing buckets. The brand film highlights this proposition of ‘just sharing’ the McSpicy Chicken with everyone without any need for explanation, as the delectable spicy flavour must be experienced by all.

This latest TV commercial features a delightful surprise with the actor in a playful and whimsical setting. With a touch of magic and a cheeky remark, NTR Jr perfectly captures the essence of the #DontExplainJustShare theme of the new offerings. In the TVC, he is seen tinkering with the moon charismatically to make sure his favorite McDonald’s store remains open so that he can keep devouring the McDonald’s McSpicy Chicken sharers with his friends.

“We are ecstatic to have NTR Jr join the McDonald's India family as our brand ambassador. His incredible on-screen presence, charismatic personality, and relatability among the youth and families complement our vibrant brand and this new offering very well. We look forward to captivating our fans with our latest campaign that spotlights the joy of sharing our delicious McSpicy Fried Chicken with friends and family,” shared Arvind R.P., Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald’s India (West and South).

McSpicy Chicken Sharers is available at McDonald’s India restaurants in South India for dine-in and drive-thru and on the McDelivery® app for delivery, takeaway, and on-the-go consumption.

McDonald’s India- North and East launched its latest TVC taking viewers down memory lane, showcasing familiarity with the brand across generations, while standing true to its value promise.

The relatable campaign features a well-known fan truth of how McDonald’s has been a part of small moments of happiness across generations, with a focus on the value it delivers. The TVC conveys a heart-warming message capturing a relatable feeling for viewers.

“Our customers have fond memories associated with our brand. This TVC takes the viewers down the memory lane and helps her re-live the Joyous and ‘happy times she had with loved ones at McDonald’s. Through thoughtful gesture of care, love and reciprocity, the TVC gently touches heart and reassures that it does not take much to create and enjoy feel good delicious memorable moments at McDonald’s – ‘Kisi ka din banaane ke liye, bas dil bada hona chahiye’, We are hopeful of this resonating well with our customers,” shared Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North and East.

Conceptualized by DDB Mudra, the TVC features a fun and beautiful banter between a grandfather and granddaughter. The TVC opens with a grandfather holding a cotton ball on his arm while travelling in an autorickshaw with his granddaughter. The grandfather is cranky as he just got an injection. The little girl tries to blow air on the injection site which leaves him puzzled, and he questions her gesture. The girl smiles and calmly reminds him of the same gesture that he used to do when she was a kid. Soon after, she asks the autorickshaw driver to stop which further confuses him. He questions his granddaughter while stepping out of the auto rickshaw only to feel embarrassed when the granddaughter reminds him of their happy place post doctor appointments. They step out of the auto and enter a McDonald’s where they are seen relishing a McAloo Tikki Meal while reminiscing the old times of the girl’s childhood. The banter and McDonald’s role in creating memories, is set to be a relatable instance for viewers.

The McAloo Tikki Value Meal comes with McAloo Tikki burger, regular fries and regular beverage, priced at INR 99/-.

Westlife Foodworld Ltd (BSE: 505533) (WFL), owner and operator of McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India, has announced its official listing on the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) under the ticker symbol Westlife.

The company was previously only "permitted to trade" but is now listed on both the NSE and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which will result in increased accessibility to more shareholders for Westlife.

“We are delighted to announce our company’s listing on the National Stock Exchange, marking an important milestone in our journey. We believe this announcement will open up opportunities for more investors to be a part of our growth story. We remain committed to delivering value to all our stakeholders, including our customers, employees, shareholders, and the communities in which we operate,” shared Amit Jatia, Chairperson, Westlife Foodworld.

The listing on the NSE is a testament to Westlife Foodworld's strong business fundamentals, its robust growth trajectory, and its commitment to delivering exceptional value to its customers. It is also a reflection of the confidence that the financial markets have in the company's future prospects.

Being listed on a major stock exchange such as the NSE will provide greater visibility to the company and its shares, a high level of compliance on both exchanges, besides making it easier for investors to trade in the stock.

The company recently announced its robust 5-year plans under the aegis Vision 2027 which signifies that it is well positioned to capitalize on the emerging opportunities and strategically expand the footprints of McDonald’s in West and South India.

To mark World Environment Day 2023, Westlife Foodworld Ltd- owner and operator of McDonald's restaurants in West and South India will progressively install rooftop solar panels on one-third of its new restaurants in FY24.

This move is part of the company’s goal to increase the use of renewable energy.

In the last two years, Westlife has reduced its carbon footprint by 16,308 tonne by saving 19.58 million units of electricity, akin to planting 749,086 trees.

“We are committed to a lower carbon footprint, achieved through increased recycling and reuse of materials, use of renewable energy, and reduced consumption. We recognise the critical role that businesses must play in addressing climate change and we are proud to walk the talk. With each step, we are becoming stronger in our fight against climate change. We look forward to continuing our efforts towards a greener future and to serving our customers with delicious and sustainable food,” shared Smita Jatia, Vice Chairperson, Westlife Foodworld.

Westlife’s commitment to sustainability extends to measures that can help conserve resources. The company has eliminated single-use plastics from customer-facing packaging. It is also improving energy efficiency at its existing restaurants with the use of LED and OATS (order assembly table set).

Sustainable sourcing is driven by tapping into green-certified ingredients such as UTZ-certified coffee beans, one of the world’s largest sustainable programmes for coffee and cocoa farming. The cooking oil in McDonald’s -West and South- kitchens is converted into biodiesel, as Westlife is known for pioneering the recycling of converted biodiesel in India.

The drive to sustain the environment is not restricted to processes and equipment but has been adopted by Westlife’s employees too. Over 10,000 employees have taken the ‘Lifestyle for the Environment’ Pledge on the MyGov Pledge platform to showcase their commitment to consciously participate in taking up environmental lifestyle and inculcate long-term environment friendly habits. Hundreds of them from 11 cities have taken up beach-cleaning, planting saplings, and raising awareness about water conservation to mirror the company’s focus on green initiatives.

To promote planting for a greener future and celebrate World Environment Day in the community, McDonald's restaurants in West and South India are giving away Marigold seeds to their customers.

Each of these steps, including using more renewable energy, will advance the company toward its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The pledge through the United Nations Climate Change reflects Westlife's deep commitment to environmental conservation and reducing its carbon footprint.

Westlife Foodworld Ltd. (formerly Westlife Development Ltd.) - owner and operator of McDonald's restaurants in West and South India - designated Amit Jatia, previously Vice Chairman of Westlife Foodworld, as Chairperson of the company effective today.

Along with this transition, Smita Jatia, will now be taking over as Vice Chairperson of the company.

Amit, widely regarded as the country's pioneer of the QSR industry in India, was instrumental in establishing McDonald’s in India in 1996. Since then, he has been an integral part of the QSR industry for over 26 years. Under his leadership, McDonald’s India (West & South) expanded its footprint to over 357 restaurants, launched its in-house specialty coffee chain McCafé, and scaled itself to a food tech company going from strength to strength.

“I am deeply honoured to accept the appointment as Chairperson of Westlife Foodworld. It has been a privilege for me to lead such a talented and dedicated team of professionals who have built a strong organization over the years. I am humbled by the trust that the Board of Directors has placed in me, and I am committed to serving the best interests of our shareholders, employees, customers, and communities,” shared Amit Jatia.

His role will be to ensure that the brand continue to navigate the opportunities of the rapidly changing global business landscape, through a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence across all facets of our business.

Smita Jatia, has been elevated to Vice Chairperson of the company, effective today. A business stalwart with over two decades of experience in the QSR industry, Smita was instrumental in the company's growth trajectory, launching innovative formats, and most importantly, reviving the brand during and after COVID. She has been at the forefront of driving the aggressive growth of McDonald’s in the market and establishing it as one of the most loved brands in the country.

“I am honoured and excited to accept the position of Vice Chairperson of Westlife Foodworld. The journey to this new role has been remarkable, and I am grateful for the support and encouragement of my colleagues, the Board of Directors, and our stakeholders,” she added by pointing that she’s committed to advancing the company’s growth strategy and building on the legacy of the iconic brand.

Westlife Foodworld Limited, owner and operator of McDonald's restaurants in West and South India, has announced a record full-year performance 2023 with highest ever sales of Rs. 22.7 bn up by 44% YoY, driven by industry-leading Same Store Sales Growth (SSSG) at 36% YoY. The company recorded a Cash PAT of Rs. 2.5 billion up by 97% YoY.

In the quarter under review, the company reported an all-time high Q4 sales of Rs. 5.56 bn, up 22% YoY with a strong double-digit SSSG (same-store sales growth) of 14% YoY. This was driven by a double-digit growth in dine-in customers, enabling the on-premise business to grow by 38% YoY.

The company’s own delivery channel, the McDelivery platform, saw a robust rise in user base, as digital sales improved to ~62%, led by SOKs (Self-Ordering Kiosks).

“FY 23 was a landmark year for Westlife Foodworld.  Our strong performance, delivered by our omnichannel strategy, menu innovations, store modernization, and cost optimization strategies, is a testament to our scale and agility. We were not only able to strengthen our value proposition but were also able to capitalize on our momentum to promote long-term sustainable growth for all our stakeholders. I believe we are on a strong growth trajectory and will continue to build on our competitive strengths and further our business advantage,” shared Amit Jatia, Vice-Chairman, Westlife Foodworld Limited.

This strong topline resulted in a 34% YoY increase in the company's Restaurant Operating Margin, which now stands at ₹1,364 million.

Withstanding the challenges of inflationary pressures and macroeconomic headwinds, the company's Operating EBIDTA jumped to Rs 919 mn, growing by 26% YoY. The company recorded a Cash PAT of Rs. 567 million in the quarter. Westlife’s average sales per store (TTM) stood at Rs. 66.2 mn, up from Rs. 49.8 mn in FY 22.

Westlife opened 18 new restaurants in the fourth quarter of FY23. The company is on a fast track to add 40-45 new restaurants in FY24 and 580-630 new restaurants by 2027.

Strengthening its Big Burger-led menu innovations, the brand launched the iconic Chicken Big Mac and Cheesy Nuggets. To promote the Chicken Big Mac, Virendra Sehwag was roped in as the face of the brand campaign. To further reinforce its commitment towards fostering a culture of gender equality and diversity, this International Women’s Day, the company launched a distinctive multi-nation campaign recognizing the significant contribution that women have made to its workforce.

As of March 2023, Westlife had 357 restaurants in 56 cities, including 68 Drive-Thrus, 311 McCafés, and 220 Experience of the Future (EOTF) restaurants.

In a newest innovation McDonald’s is testing Cold Brew at some locations in Southern California.

According to report published in Restaurant Business Online, the QSR chain is testing a regular Cold Brew served black over ice, along with a Marble Cold Brew featuring cold brew mixed with a creamy syrup and topped with cream.

Cold Brew can be made using the company’s existing equipment, which makes it an easier product add for operators.

McDonald’s is aiming to price the product at $4.69 for a medium, or about $1 more than a typical flavored iced coffee, it shared.

The test comes as cold coffee beverages continue to take off in the U.S., prompting a growing number of coffee chains and other concepts to expand their cold options.

More than 70% of the beverage sales at Starbucks is from cold beverages and customers have been increasingly customizing those orders.

McDonald’s has been adding items to its McCafe lineup in recent years, including pastries such as cinnamon rolls and apple fritters. But it is also testing the sale of Krispy Kreme doughnuts in few locations.

Earlier this week, McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger announced two new appointments to his senior leadership team.

The QSR chain has promoted Michael Gonda to Senior Vice President and Chief Impact Officer, North America.

In this role, he will be responsible for driving the holistic impact strategy across Communications, State and Local Government Relations, Sustainability & ESG, and Philanthropy in the U.S. and Canada.

His cross-functional team will proactively engage stakeholders and communities to protect and enhance the McDonald’s brand and more efficiently and effectively partner with global and other markets.

Sandy Rodriguez, Vice President, U.S. Communications, will transition to and assume the role of Global Chief Communications Officer for McDonald’s Corporation.

On the other hand, Jami Guthrie has been promoted to Vice President, Strategic Insights and Prioritization. In this role, he will be responsible for managing strategy, insights, analytics, and planning resources, creating an integrated view for the entire U.S. business.

This team will help McDonald’s USA to focus on its most critical priorities, eliminate redundancy and inefficiency in work, and enable more rapid innovation and effective collaboration.

QSR chain McDonald's Corp is temporarily closing its US offices this week as it prepares to inform its corporate employees about layoffs as part of a broader company restructuring, share a WSJ report on Sunday.

In an internal email last week to the employees and some international staff, McDonald's asked them to work from home from Monday through Wednesday so it can deliver staffing decisions virtually.

However, it is unclear how many employees will be laid off.

"During the week of April 3, we will communicate key decisions related to roles and staffing levels across the organization," read the message sent by the burger chain.

McDonald's has also asked its employees to cancel all in-person meetings with vendors and other outside parties at its headquarters, shared the report.

Earlier in January it had announced that it would review corporate staffing levels as part of an updated business strategy, which could lead to layoffs in some areas and expansion in others.

The layoffs are expected to be announced by Wednesday.

QSR chain McDonald’s has partnered with China-based terminal solutions manufacturer Telpo to provide a customized, 27-inch self-service ordering kiosk called the Telpo K20 at McDonald’s store.

According to the report, customers can see and choose what they want, including ingredients and sauces, through the touchscreen display.

The kiosk also provides optional payment accessories, including the contactless card reader, a 3D structured light camera, QR code payment, NFC payment and face recognition payment.

An 80mm thermal printer with an auto-cutter provides a printing speed of 150mm/second and a maximum of up to 220mm/second. At the same time, multi-language and multi-font printing makes receipts an advertising tool.

Without adding any selector switch, the operating system can be switched between Windows and Android operating systems.

Telpo has offices in India, as well as branches in Hong Kong, Nigeria, the U.S. and Sri Lanka.

Westlife Foodworld Ltd, owner and operator of McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India, has announced the elevation of Saurabh Kalra as the Managing Director (MD) of its subsidiary.

Prior to this, Saurabh was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the organization.

In this new role, Saurabh will focus on the overall business strategy and growth opportunities, driving the company’s long-term success while continuing to remain deeply involved in day-to-day operations.

“We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Saurabh on his well-deserved promotion. It gives me great pride to see that, in keeping with our people philosophy, we have been able to develop careers and appoint someone internally for this critical role. Over the years, Saurabh has evolved as an incredible leader and a mentor within the organization. He is a motivated and passionate individual who always seeks to innovate and take on new challenges and we are confident that he will continue to lead Westlife to newer highs with his remarkable vision and strategy,” shared Amit Jatia, Vice Chairman, Westlife Foodworld.

Kalra is replacing Smita Jatia, who has served as the organization's Managing Director since 2010 and played an instrumental role in the growth trajectory of the company, driving innovative formats, and most importantly was instrumental in reviving the brand during and after COVID.

“Smita would continue to be an active member of the Westlife board. We are confident that these moves will further strengthen McDonald's India (W&S) as the most loved and preferred QSR chain in the country,” added Jatia.

Saurabh brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge gathered over his twenty-year-plus career with Westlife. Having started his career as a Management Trainee in 2002, Saurabh became one of the youngest Restaurant Managers. Over the years, he straddled roles across operations, training, real estate, strategy, and development functions, gradually and successfully transitioning from a restaurant-facing role to a CXO role. Saurabh was instrumental in launching and growing McCafé and the Experience of The Future (EOTF) restaurants in India. He was also an integral part of the team that established the McDonald's brand in South India.

Saurabh was also an active participant in crafting the 2022 Vision and has been playing a key role in operationalizing Vision 2027, along with Akshay Jatia, Executive Director, Westlife Foodworld.

“I am thrilled and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the McDonald's India (W&S) family as MD. It is an exciting time for us as we continue to drive our growth agenda and build on the iconic brand's legacy. I am confident that I will leverage my commitment and industry experience to deliver best-in-class performance across business parameters that will enable us to take Westlife Foodworld to even greater heights,” added Saurabh Kalra, Managing Director, Westlife Foodworld.

Customers embarking on their journey to the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi can now enjoy a world-class restaurant experience with McDonald’s at two locations – one at New Track- Tarakote Marg and the second at Ardhkuwari, Jammu.

Keeping in mind religious beliefs that prevail and influence food habits in the region, McDonald’s- North & East has opened this restaurant that offer 100% Vegetarian menu with no onion and no garlic.

“We are excited to launch our restaurants in Tarakote Marg and Ardhkuwari, on the way to the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi. Our presence here is a step towards making the world-famous McDonald's great tasting food and beverages accessible to travelers and residents of the area. We have formulated a special menu for our no onion and no garlic restaurants, consisting of menu items such as McAloo Tikki, McVeggie, McSpicy Paneer Burger, McSpicy Paneer Wrap, along with McDonald’s World Famous Fries^TM, refreshing beverages and choice of desserts,” shared Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North and East.

For greater convenience, McDonald’s is equipped with self-ordering digital kiosks. Travelers en route Vaishno Devi have the option of refreshments through Take-away and Dine-in at New Track-Tarakote Marg and take-away at Ardhkuwari.

McDonald’s sources ingredients for its menu items from farmers and suppliers across India, who form an integral part of the business and share McDonald’s commitment of food quality and safety.

“We take great pride in our food quality standards that run across the value chain from farm to fork. Our passion for quality means that all ingredients that go in our menu items are tested, tasted, and perfected to our global quality and safety standards, before being served to our customers. Over the last 25 years, we have developed strong and trusted supplier partnerships locally”, he added.

At the heart of McDonald’s experience are its people, who provide best-in-class hospitality and customer experience. Across North and East India, McDonald’s employs over 5,000 people in its more than 150 restaurants - investing significantly into training and development.

With an aim to celebrate the success of female employees and to foster the culture of diversity, McDonald's launched a unique multi-nation campaign with the umbrella thought that ‘Inspiring Women, Inspire Women’.

This International Women’s Day, six countries of McDonald's in the APMEA region including India (S&W), India (N&E), Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Thailand, came together to narrate #StoriesThatTakeYouForward.

This social media campaign brings to fore real inspiring stories from real voices, driving real impact. The campaign focuses on the women's commitment to creating opportunities for themselves and others in the company while celebrating their achievements of some of the inspiring women of McDonald’s who are like the role models for many.

“We at McDonald’s India place utmost importance on promoting a culture of gender equality and diversity. We recognize and celebrate the essential role of women in our workforce and are ever committed to creating equal opportunities that empower our employees and foster an inclusive culture that provides a level playing field,” shared Smita Jatia, Managing Director (MD), Westlife Foodworld.

These women took the center-stage and spoke about their journeys, ambitions, dreams, day at work, families, break time and how they encourage other crew members at the restaurants. These reels will be followed by bite-sized Instagram stories throughout the day, highlighting the fact that wherever our women may be, their passion, dreams, and determination to make it happen are the same.

In its endeavour of driving change and making a positive impact in the local communities, McDonald's India – North and East is planning to hire 50% of its workforce by 2025 i.e 1500 people through non-government organizations.

For this, McDonald’s India – North and East has launched the community campaign ‘McDonald’s For Youth’ – that aims to meaningfully contribute towards India’s growth story by providing gainful employment prospects to the local communities, especially the less-privileged.

So far, the brand has hired more than 500 young people over the last year, partnering with several reputed not-for-profit organizations such as Magic Bus, Tech Mahindra foundation, Quess Corp Foundation, and Tarraqi, amongst others.

“McDonalds for Youth’ is a campaign through which we aim to offer gainful employment for the youth, especially youth from the under-privileged communities who have limited education and employment opportunities. We aim to hire 50% of our entry level workforce under this initiative, invest in their overall growth and development through our world class high-quality training and learning programs. This initiative is much more than filling open positions – it is about being a part of the local communities, and is an attempt to make them a part of us,” shared Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North and East.

For most people hired through the ‘McDonald’s For Youth’ initiative, it being their first job, is an important milestone in their walk of life. Besides being their first source of income, these young minds benefit from the McDonald's global training curriculum through which they acquire right skills and knowledge desired to succeed in their career path.

Westlife Foodworld Ltd. (formerly Westlife Development Ltd.) – owner and operator of McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India, has appointed  Saurabh Bhudolia as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Saurabh will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial management and strategy to ensure the company’s financial success.

In his new role, Saurabh will report to Akshay Jatia, Executive Director, and will work closely with the leadership team to devise effective financial strategies for Westlife Foodworld.

“We are delighted to welcome Saurabh Bhudolia as the new Chief Financial Officer.  His industry experience and knowledge will be of great value in advancing our strategic vision and achieving our business objectives. I am confident that he will play a key role in Westlife Foodworld’s growth and wish him success in his new position,” shared Amit Jatia, Vice Chairman, Westlife Foodworld Ltd.

Prior to joining Westlife Foodworld, Saurabh held CFO positions at Lux Industries and Future Group India. He has also worked with organizations such as Tata Steel, Mondelez International, and Sula Vineyards in his professional journey of over 15 years.

“I am honoured to be a part of the Westlife Foodworld family. I am looking forward to leveraging my experience to provide financial guidance, ensure compliance and maximize profitability. I am positive that my area of expertise and skill sets will enable Westlife Foodworld to soar to greater heights,” added Saurabh Bhudolia, CFO, Westlife Foodworld.

Saurabh is a Chartered Accountant (CA) with experience in the manufacturing industries (Steel, FMCG, Beverage, and Retail) in India, New Zealand, and Singapore. In these many years, his area of expertise has been Accounting, Budgeting & Costing, Treasury, Taxation, Project Finance, Financial Reporting, Business Partnering, M&A, IR, Funding, and Auditing.

QSR chain McDonald’s on Friday announced that it may look at evaluating roles and staffing level as part of a broad organisational structure.

Promising some “difficult discussions and decisions ahead,” Chris Kempczinski, CEO, McDonald’s said the group is thinking about restructuring designed to increase the speed, innovation and efficiency of the business.

The effort, called “Accelerating the Organization,” will include discussions among leaders throughout the company, with the strategy slated to be finalized in April, reported Restaurant Business Online.

“As part of this work, we will evaluate roles and staffing levels in parts of the organization and there will be difficult discussions and decisions ahead,” Kempczinski wrote in a system message on Friday by adding that they will look into the strategy and their values to guide how they reach those decisions and support every impacted member of the company.

McDonald’s effort also includes the promotion of four key executives, including expanded roles or new business units designed to take advantage of the organizational changes.

It promoted its Marketing chief Morgan Flatley to EVP, global chief marketing officer and new business ventures, Skye Anderson, who had been president of the West Zone for McDonald’s USA, was named president of global business services and Andrew Gregory was promoted to SVP global franchising and development.

Those appointments will be effective Feb. 1.

“Through Accelerating the Organization, we will evolve our culture to foster greater collaboration and develop one McDonald’s way to solve problems for our customers and people together,” added Kempczinski.