McDonald’s Australia CEO Joe Chiczewski flags 30-50 new stores in the next 12 months

An exclusive interview with the man leading Maccas in Australia has revealed big changes for the fast-food giant in the next 12 months.

McDonald’s will open up between 30 and 50 new stores across Australia over the next 12 months, its local CEO has revealed, as the company moves to solidify its reputation as fast-food’s value giant.

CEO Joe Chiczewski, speaking exclusively with NewsWire on Thursday morning, said he was “absolutely committed” to investing in Australia.

He said there were attractive “restaurant gaps” across the whole country, including in every big city.

“We’re going to open more restaurants over the next 12 months,” he said.

“That is a key priority for our growth strategy. Not just the next 12 months, but over the next few years.

“I would expect over the next 12 months that we would open somewhere between 30 and 50 restaurants. We’re absolutely committed to continuing to invest in the Aussie community.”

McDonald’s Australia, a division of the larger New York-listed $320bn McDonald’s Corp, boasts 1050 restaurants nationwide and some 115,000 employees.

It has been operating in Australia since 1971, when its burgers sold for 20c.

McDonald's Australia CEO Joe Chiczewski says the company expects to open between 30 and 50 new stores over the next 12 months. Picture: Supplied

Mr Chiczewski specified Perth as a potential target for new restaurants.

He also flagged innovations to the brand’s menu over the next 12 months, of what he called “choiceful innovation”.

“Figuring out the gaps in our menu that we want to fill for our consumers,” he said.

“A recent example of that was our launch of McWings. Aussie consumers love chicken and we want to give them more chicken options on our menu.”

The company announced on Thursday a 12-month price lock on a range of popular menu items in a bid to keep cost-conscious customers rolling through its stores.

The lock is for the McSmart Meal, which includes two hamburgers, fries and a drink for $6.95.

Prices on the Loose Change menu, all set at $4 or below, will also remain in place for 12 months.

Sausage McMuffins will sell for $4, hamburgers will go for $2, frozen cokes for $1 and soft serve ice creams for 50c.

The McDonald's McSmart Meal will be price locked for 12 months. Picture: Supplied

Fries are not included, but Mr Chiczewski said the company wanted to find ways to give them to customers at a “good value”.

“We didn’t include fries, but we do have an option for value fries and that’s within McSmart,” he said.

“So you can get that full deal, including the fries, at $6.95, and you can also get great deals on our app.

“Our app is a great way to unlock great deals. Once you’ve accumulated enough points, you get free fries on our app.

“We definitely know our world-famous fries are what our consumer wants and we want to find ways to give it to them at a good value as well.”

Mr Chiczewski said the lock was designed to help Australians power through the cost-of-living crisis that has crushed spending power for millions in the aftermath of Covid and maintain the company’s link to “value and affordability”.

There are currently 1050 McDonald’s restaurants nationwide. Picture: NewsWire / James Gourley

“They (Australian consumers) are definitely much more choiceful in their spend when they come to our restaurants,” he said.

“We’ve definitely seen some reduced spend (since Covid) but when we lean into what they are looking for and give them the value they need, they respond.

“Since we’ve launched the McSmart meal, we’re selling 600,000 McSmart meals a week.

“And then the 50c cones, I was out at restaurants yesterday and just seeing those fly off the shelves.

“Our customers are responding when we give them that value and affordability, which is exactly what they need right now.”

Mr Chiczewski worked for the company in the US before taking on the leadership position in Australia in March this year.

Originally published as McDonald’s Australia CEO Joe Chiczewski flags 30-50 new stores in the next 12 months