McDonald’s is celebrating 40 years of franchising in the UK, marking four decades of partnership, entrepreneurship and growth.

Since the first franchised McDonald’s restaurant opened in the UK in 1986, franchising has played a central role in the brand’s journey. Over that time, franchisees have invested in and grown their own businesses, created employment opportunities, developed people and brought valuable local knowledge into the wider McDonald’s system.

The partnership between McDonald’s and its franchisees is built on shared ambition and consistent support. Franchisees run independent businesses while benefiting from the scale, training and expertise of the wider brand, including a comprehensive training programme, dedicated Franchisee Consultants and specialist support across key business areas.

Franchisees have also helped McDonald’s adapt to changing customer expectations, supporting developments such as Drive-Thru, digital ordering, delivery and restaurant modernisation. Alongside this, many franchisees are closely connected to the communities they serve, supporting charities, schools, local causes and initiatives including Ronald McDonald House Charities UK.

As McDonald’s marks this milestone, its franchisees remain central to the next chapter of the brand’s UK franchise journey, helping to drive innovation, investment, opportunity and community impact across the country.