McDonald’s has been scoping out sites in Armagh for a new restaurant, Armagh I can reveal.
We understand that some of the acquisitions team behind the world’s largest fast food restaurant chain have been to the city to explore potential locations in recent weeks.
It was only in April that Armagh I exclusively revealed that Armagh was on the McDonald’s radar and included on a ‘wish list’ for new developments.
Today, a spokesperson for McDonald’s confirmed to us that it remains committed to opening up in Armagh.
But, at this stage, it has “no confirmed plans” in relation to any specific or preferred location.
The spokesperson reinforced that it intends to ‘do business’ in the city.
He told Armagh I that McDonald’s has been “looking at several potential opportunities in the area”.
And the spokesperson added: “We are always looking for new sites and can confirm that Armagh is an area where we would like to invest, open a new restaurant and create jobs.”
McDonald’s has major expansion plans across the UK which is announced last year, as it aims to create up to 400 drive-thru restaurants across the UK over the next 10 years.
The company – as we revealed three months ago – appointed seven representatives to actively seek out fresh locations across England, Scotland and Wales – and now Northern Ireland.
Armagh is one of 11 locations which McDonalds has set its sights on for a new drive-thru restaurant.
As well as exploring sites, it is actively looking for franchisees and suitable sites.
Other ‘areas of interest’ include Banbridge, Derry/Londonderry, Holywood, Larne, Bangor, Antrim, Belfast, Enniskillen, Lisburn and Strabane.
The chain already has restaurants in surrounding towns and cities, including at the Damolly Retail Park in Newry, at Meadow Lane in Portadown, Rushmere Shopping Centre in Craigavon, the Oaks Shopping Centre in Dungannon, and at Edward Street in Lurgan.
The company has previously expressed an interest in opening in Armagh but suitable and agreeable locations failed to materialise.
This time round it is determined that a site will be found and Armagh will benefit from this local investment.
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