McDonald’s Announces Plans to Hire 375,000 Workers
Fast-food giant McDonald’s has unveiled plans to hire 375,000 workers across its U.S. operations over the next six months, marking one of the largest single hiring initiatives in the company’s history. The announcement was made during a joint press conference with Labor Secretary Robert Williams, who praised the company’s commitment to job creation and workforce development, according to CNBC.
The hiring push comes as McDonald’s implements an ambitious domestic expansion plan that includes opening approximately 1,800 new locations in the United States by 2027. Company executives emphasized that the initiative will create opportunities across experience levels, from entry-level positions to management roles.
Expansion Drives Employment Growth
McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski detailed the company’s growth strategy, explaining that the hiring initiative supports both new restaurant openings and increased staffing at existing locations. The expansion represents McDonald’s most aggressive growth plan in the U.S. market in over two decades.
“This hiring initiative reflects our confidence in the U.S. market and our commitment to meeting evolving consumer demands,” Kempczinski said. “As we open new restaurants and extend hours at existing locations, we’re creating opportunities for thousands of Americans to build careers with McDonald’s.”
The company plans to focus its expansion in suburban areas and smaller cities that have shown strong population growth in recent years. Industry analysts at Restaurant Business note that this strategy targets regions where drive-thru and delivery services have shown particularly strong performance since the pandemic.
Labor Secretary Highlights Job Quality
Labor Secretary Williams, who joined McDonald’s executives for the announcement, emphasized the quality of the positions being created. He highlighted the company’s enhanced benefits packages and career advancement opportunities as examples of private sector leadership in workforce development.
“These aren’t just jobs; they’re pathways to careers,” Williams said. “McDonald’s has demonstrated commitment to providing competitive wages, educational benefits, and clear advancement opportunities that allow workers to progress from entry-level positions to management and beyond.”
The Labor Department noted that approximately 40% of McDonald’s current U.S. corporate employees began their careers in restaurant positions, demonstrating the potential for advancement within the company. Williams specifically highlighted the company’s education assistance program, which has provided over $165 million in tuition assistance to more than 80,000 employees since its inception.
Wage and Benefits Enhancements
As part of the announcement, McDonald’s revealed enhancements to its compensation and benefits packages intended to improve recruitment and retention in a competitive labor market. Company-owned restaurants will implement a minimum starting wage of $17 per hour, with market adjustments in higher-cost areas.
“We’re committed to offering competitive compensation that reflects the value our people bring to our business,” said Heidi Capozzi, McDonald’s global chief people officer. “Beyond wages, we’re expanding access to healthcare benefits, paid time off, and educational opportunities that support both personal and professional growth.”
The company also announced expanded eligibility for its Archways to Opportunity education program, reducing the service requirement from nine months to three months. This program provides tuition assistance for employees pursuing high school diplomas, college degrees, or English language learning programs.
Workforce analysts at McKinsey have identified enhanced benefits packages as increasingly important for quick-service restaurants seeking to address persistent staffing challenges in a sector traditionally characterized by high turnover.
Technology Integration
While announcing the significant hiring push, McDonald’s executives also addressed the company’s ongoing technology investments, emphasizing that automation is being implemented to complement rather than replace human workers. The company has invested heavily in digital ordering kiosks, mobile app functionality, and kitchen automation tools.
“Our technology investments are designed to enhance the customer experience while allowing our people to focus on the aspects of service where human interaction adds the most value,” explained Mason Smoot, McDonald’s chief restaurant officer. “This creates a more engaging work environment while improving operational efficiency.”
Industry observers note that this balanced approach to technology integration has allowed McDonald’s to improve service metrics while maintaining staffing levels, contrasting with more aggressive automation strategies pursued by some competitors.
Economic Impact
Economists project that McDonald’s hiring initiative will have meaningful impacts on local economies, particularly in the regions targeted for new restaurant development. Each new restaurant creates approximately 60-75 direct jobs while supporting additional employment through construction, supply chain, and service provider relationships.
“The multiplier effect of these jobs is significant,” explained Michael Hicks, economist at Ball State University. “Beyond the direct employment, each new restaurant generates approximately 30-40 indirect jobs in the surrounding community through increased economic activity.”
The announcement comes as the restaurant industry continues its recovery from pandemic-related disruptions. The National Restaurant Association reported that food service employment reached pre-pandemic levels in January 2025, though labor force participation rates remain below historical averages in many markets.
McDonald’s plans to begin its hiring push immediately, with targeted recruitment campaigns in the regions scheduled for new restaurant openings in the third and fourth quarters of 2025.
