McDonald’s on Grafton St reopens after €1.5m facelift

McDonald's on Grafton Street in Dublin has reopened following a €1.5 million refurbishment.

The revamped outlet includes new self-service ordering kiosks and a table service to enhance the family-friendly experience.

Despite the increased automation, the restaurant will employ 30 additional staff, bringing its total headcount to 120. It will also have seating space for 305 customers, up from 285.

McDonald’s has been attempting to modernise its business, systematically adding self-service ordering kiosks and table service to stores worldwide.

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The burger giant is investing heavily in mobile and other tech platforms in bid to appeal to a younger customer base. Its new McDelivery service was launched in Ireland last year.

The Grafton Street restaurant, which first opened in 1977, was the first McDonald’s in Ireland and remains one of the busiest.

It is operated by franchisee Amir Afsar, who operates 11 McDonald’s franchises in total.

"As the busiest McDonald's restaurant in Ireland it is important that our customers can access the best family-friendly facilities and services on offer," Mr Afsar said, noting the new self-order kiosks would allow customers to make more personalised food choices.

The latest set of accounts for Mr Afsar’s outlets show his company made a profit before tax of €1.16 million in 2017, almost double the previous year

As part of the Grafton Street revamp, McDonald’s removed the McCafé element of the store in an apparent strategy reversal.

The Grafton Street outlet was among eight retail investments and five office blocks bought by Irish Life for about €154 million back in 2015.

McDonald’s had been paying an annualised rent of €1.15 million until its lease ran out in March 2011. Following a dispute the rent was adjusted down to €600,000.

There are 92 McDonald’s restaurants in operation in Ireland, 90 per cent of which are owned and operated by 22 Franchisees, employing more than 5,000 staff.