The McDonald's fast food chain is to open a further three Irish outlets later this year. The chain already has 74 restaurants employing 3,500 people. About 50 of the outlets are franchised.
The group has recently opened five coffee shops in Dublin, but for competitive reasons will not disclose where their new restaurants will be.
The company has been highlighting its importance to Irish farming. It estimates that more than €140m worth of beef and dairy goods are supplied to its European chain from the island of Ireland. One in every five hamburgers in its European network is sourced in Ireland.
But burger buns are made in Britain and most chicken comes from elsewhere in Europe and Brazil.
McDonald's says sales of salads, at less than 5%, have not not increased and most people want burgers and fries when in their restaurants.
