Kolkata: American multinational fast food chain McDonald’s plans to double the number of restaurants in Kolkata and Howrah from the current eight to at least 16 by the end of 2025.
Connaught Plaza Restaurants Ltd (CPRL), the firm’s franchise for northern and eastern India, has 14 outlets in the east, including Durgapur, Patna, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati.There are 200 outlets in the north and the east combined. “In the last two years, we have increased our footprint in the east by 175%. We will continue to grow in the region. We plan to double our footprint in Kolkata by the end of 2025 by strategically opening new restaurants in high-traffic areas, including malls, commercial districts, and residential neighbourhoods. This expansion targets both urban centres and emerging suburban areas,” said McDonald’s India managing director (north and east) Rajeev Ranjan. The burger chain will focus on digital innovation, with features like self-service kiosks and mobile app integrations to improve customer experience.
McDonald’s has also revamped its menu to meet local tastes and preferences.
McDonald’s has recently opened its second restaurant in Guwahati and two in Patna and Muzaffarpur. By 2024-end, it plans to enter new markets like Ranchi and Jamshedpur in Jharkhand.
“We plan to open outlets in other northeastern states next year,” said Ranjan, adding, “Eastern India is a prolific ground for expansion, driven by economic growth, urbanisation, a burgeoning middle class, and a youthful demography. By leveraging these opportunities and adapting to local market dynamics, we continue to strengthen our brand presence here.”