More jobs and a record year at McDonald's

McDonald's said market share gains helped it deliver a record year in the UK, as the fast-food giant unveiled "at least" 2,500 new jobs this year on these shores.

The jobs filllip was unveiled as its US parent posted an 11 per cent leap in global profits to $1.4bn (£898m) in the year to 31 December, lifted by strong "operating income growth" in the UK Germany, France and Russia.

Jill McDonald, pictured, the chief executive of McDonald's UK, said: "We have had another record year," boosted by about 100 million more customer visits. Asked if it had taken market share from Burger King, she said: "We have taken share across the board ... in a number of areas and from a number of our competitors."

McDonald's UK does not publish like-for-like revenues, but it posted underlying sales growth in the "low teens" in its fourth quarter after an "outstanding Christmas". Its best-performing times were breakfast, dinner and overnight, boosted by 384 UK stores opening 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Ms McDonald also cited growth across its menu, adding that its chicken wraps had "punched above their weight".

The chain, which has more than 1,200 restaurants in Britain and Ireland, said more than half of the 2,500 new jobs created will go to young people. The jobs will come from up to 15 new McDonald's stores, opening outlets longer and serving more customers.