Kuala lumpur: McDonald's Malaysia has unveiled an ambitious plan to invest RM1 billion over the next five years to open 100 new restaurants, upgrade existing outlets, and enhance its digital capabilities. The announcement was made by the company's managing director and local operating partner, Datuk Azmir Jaafar, at a press conference following the reopening of McDonald's Titiwangsa Drive-Thru, the first drive-thru restaurant in Malaysia. According to BERNAMA News Agency, the investment underscores McDonald's Malaysia's commitment to building a future-ready workforce while expanding its restaurant network across the nation. Of the total investment, RM600 million is earmarked for new restaurant openings, RM200 million for refurbishing over 150 existing locations, and RM200 million for technology and digitalisation initiatives. Datuk Azmir Jaafar highlighted the company's focus on strengthening its presence in high-demand and tourism-driven areas, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, where many towns still lack McDonald's outlets. He also mentioned plans to expand the franchise network from the current 25 outlets, aiming for 70 to 100 new restaurants over the next five to ten years. The expansion strategy is expected to create over 10,000 jobs, aligning with McDonald's Malaysia's policy of 100 per cent local hiring. Azmir emphasized that each new restaurant would boost local economic activity and generate employment opportunities across various supporting sectors. Currently operating more than 370 restaurants nationwide, McDonald's Malaysia achieved a 26 per cent year-on-year growth in 2025 despite challenging business conditions. Beyond expansion, workforce development remains a cornerstone of the investment strategy, with initiatives like the McDonald's Vocational Academy collaborating with the Ministry of Human Resources to train over 5,000 youths since 2018. In 2023, McDonald's Malaysia established one of the nine global Hamburger University training centers in Kuala Lumpur, underlining the company's dedicati on to leadership development. Additionally, about 75 per cent of McDonald's Malaysia's food and packaging is sourced locally, supporting small and medium enterprises and strengthening domestic supply chains. Operational efficiency is also a priority, allowing the company to keep menu prices competitive. In 2025, menu price increases were about half of Malaysia's inflation rate, aided by improvements in supply chain efficiency. After 43 years in Malaysia, McDonald's continues to focus on nation-building through job creation, skills development, and community engagement.