Fast food giant McDonald’s now employs more than 1,300 workers across North Wales with an independent report saying it has an economic impact of more than £27m on the region’s economy.
The ‘Serving the 海角视频: McDonald’s at 45’ report was researched by Development Economics to understand the value the US firm has made to the 海角视频 economy, local communities, its employees, customers and suppliers.
It broke down its impact on every county in North Wales with the most jobs found in Flintshire, where the brand employs 530 workers at six restaurants.
The brand plans to keep growing with a new drive-thru restaurant in Rhyl and a larger site in Llandudno.
While the figures were positive the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said local food businesses support more local produce, create more jobs and invest more in the area.
Restaurant boss Morgan Austin, who owns Johnny Dough’s, said chains like McDonald’s were good for training up young staff but added that a lot of the corporate giants were “just not that good at the moment”.
Tourism chief Jim Jones said he would always urge visitors to indulge in North Wales’ top local produce rather than go to big international chains.
Paul Pomroy chief executive officer, McDonald’s 海角视频, said: “We are at our very best when the brand, our franchisees and our suppliers work together to deliver for our customers.
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“With our unparalleled reach across the 海角视频, we have a unique opportunity to create change and to make a real and lasting impact in the local areas that we serve.
“Our people are at the heart of these communities and, as a responsible and proud employer, we are committed to investing in them.
“The 125,000 colleagues working in our restaurants and offices are central to our past, present and future success and innovation.”
Mike Learmond, FSB North Wales senior development manager, said: “FSB Wales have worked extensively on the impact of various outlets in our Welsh towns, and have found that in order for a town centre to thrive it is reliant on a diverse make-up of independent stores and larger outlets in order to flourish.
“Independent stores are more likely to stock independent produce which has a knock-on effect in supporting even more local businesses, local jobs, and local investment.
“I do, however, recognise that McDonald’s helps bring footfall and supply chain opportunities to our town centres at a time when any contribution to town centre prosperity is vital.”
Mr Austin, who has Johnny Dough’s restaurants in Conwy and Llandudno, said: “I’m all up for a good mix of corporate and independent restaurants. Corporates definitely spend more on staff training which then in turn trickles into independents, who struggle to spend so much on training.
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“McDonald’s train well and are a great starting place for youngsters – it’s a good first job for building their confidence in a work environment.
“A lot of corporate restaurants are just not that good at the moment but smaller chains 10-plus is where the quality is at the corporate end, not the very big chains.
“Restaurants are getting harder to run. Staff wages, vat and the ever increasing food costs have burst the large chain bubble and I am just hoping it doesn’t start affecting us at the smaller end of the wedge.”
Jim Jones, managing director of North Wales Tourism, said: “There is so much energy going into raising the profile of the fantastic food and drink offer available here in North Wales that it would be a shame if visitors only ate at international fast food chains while they were here.
“This region has some of the finest produce available in the 海角视频 and no visit to North Wales would be complete without tasting not only our wonderful lamb, beef and seafood like Menai mussels but also locally produced real ales, chocolate, vegetables and fruit.”
Mr Jones added: “Fast food has its place but I would urge visitors to North Wales not to go home without trying the amazing home-grown produce we have at so many excellent, restaurants, pubs, hotels, cafés and farm shops from Anglesey to Wrexham.”
McDonald’s impact on each county
Wrexham: Combined contribution of £6m annually to Wrexham, employing more than 230 people.
Flintshire: Report says McDonald’s contributes £9.72m to economy – with 530 staff.
Denbighshire: The chain employs 62 people in the county and contributes just under £1m a year.
Conwy: Contributes £5.4m to economy and employs 301 people.
Gwynedd: Contributes £3.4m to economy and employs 188 people.
Anglesey: Employs 75 people and brings £1.4m to the economy.