McDonald’s Aims to Hire 50,000 Workers

Chicago candidates fill out job applications. photo/McDonald's Corp.

OAK BROOK, Ill. — McDonald's Corporation and its franchisees went on a hiring offensive today to hire 50,000 workers.   On April 19, the fast-food giant held hiring events at restaurants throughout the nation as well as Canada. It is a sign that America's largest restaurant chain by sales is bullish on the economy, its own future prospects and that McJobs aren't so bad.

Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women.

In New York, Vice President of McDonald's metro region met with franchise owner-operators and potential applicants. "As our business continues to grow, we want to provide our customers with an even better experience in all of our New York Tri State restaurants. And every employee plays a vital role in helping us fulfill that goal," said Moot.

Some 600 New York City restaurants plan to hire.

In Northern California, there are 160 restaurants in just the Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto area, operated by some 54 franchisees. McDonald's and its restaurant owners were looking to hire approximately 2,000 new workers. Owner-operator Steve Ramirez from Elk Grove, said of the event: "Our business continues to grow in this area, and we want to provide our customers with an even better experience in all of our Northern California restaurants. This initiative will help us reach that goal." He added, ""With an unemployment rate of 12 percent in our area, this hiring day initiative will allow local citizens an opportunity to acquire a job and a possible long-term career with a strong brand."

Canada also held today's one-day hiring blitz. Some 1,400 restaurants, of which 80 percent are franchised, hope to recruit 4,000 new restaurant employees from British Columbia to New Foundland. McDonald's Canada emphasized that 50 percent of its franchisees started out as a McDonald's crew member.

McDonald's Corporation expects to be able to announce the hiring results next week.

Related reading:

• Will McDonald's 'super-sized' hiring spree help the economy? by The Week

• McDonald's Hopes Hiring Drive Redefines 'McJobs'  by NPR