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Burger giant McDonald's makes a contribution of £3.3million a year to Exeter, as well as bringing 222 jobs to the city, an new report has revealed.

Despite numerous high-street businesses in decline across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ, McDonald’s is investing in and growing both its high street and drive-thru operations, many of which are located in town centre locations.

Without including its supply chain, in 2017 alone, McDonald’s directly generated more than £2.8m in Exeter.

The ‘Serving the º£½ÇÊÓƵ: McDonald’s at 45’ economic report was researched by Development Economics to understand the value McDonald’s has made to the º£½ÇÊÓƵ economy, local communities, its employees, customers and suppliers since it first started operating in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ.

Local franchisee, David Shawyer owns and operates two restaurants in Exeter and another in Exmouth. He said: “Creating and sustaining jobs across Exeter and East Devon 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 employ people based on their qualities not their qualifications but, as the worlds of business and education move closer, there’s no longer a need to decide between learning and earning.

“There’s also no such thing as a typical 9-5 at my restaurants. We know that people take a job with McDonald's for all sorts of reasons, from wanting to earn some extra cash while studying at colleges or universities, to needing a flexible job that fits around childcare. That's why it's so important to us that we offer our employees flexible working options.”

Franchisees go above and beyond to give back to and champion their local communities. David Shawyer organises community regeneration projects, most recently planting 300 trees in Exeter Valley Park and supported a clean-up along the beach at Dawlish Nature reserve.