McDonald’s to add 40 outlets in northern and eastern zones

McDonald’s India declares its expansion plan that includes setting up 40 outlets in the localities of Delhi, Kolkata and NCRs by 2010. “As part of our expansion plans, we will open 40 new outlets across east and north India over the next two years," said Vikram Bakshi, joint venture partner and managing director (north and east India), McDonald`s India. The US food giant formed a JV with Vikram Bakshi-owned Connaught Plaza Restaurant to run McDonald’s outlets in northern and eastern India. The company is going to inject Rs 150 crore plus for the expansion. Currently, McDonald’s has 155 outlets across India. The northern operation is also eyeing for increase in the total staff strength from 4,500 to 6,500. “Our new store requires an investment of INR 3 crore,” informs a company official. ‘The average store size is about 2500 sq feet,” he adds.