Maccas plans golden expansion in Cairns suburb
McDonald's will invest $9.9 million to build its 11th Cairns restaurant, creating 120 new jobs at a prime suburban location. Find out where.
Maccas is cooking up a new restaurant in a Cairns suburb.
The fast food giant is pushing to start earthworks for a new $9.9 million restaurant on Sheridan St at Cairns North early next year.
Once finished, the store will become the 11th Maccas in Cairns after the first was built almost 40 years.
The project, located across the road from Tobruk Pool, needs significant earthworks that also involves relocating a bus stop and removing three driveways.
A McDonald’s Australia spokeswoman said the company was “excited” to expand its footprint in Cairns.
“A new Macca’s in Cairns North represents an investment of $9.9 million and will mean more than 120 new local jobs and more support for local community groups in the area,” she said.
“We’ve been part of Cairns communities since 1988, employing thousands of people, serving up a locally sourced menu and providing convenient destinations for customers looking for great everyday value and those iconic Macca’s moments.”
McDonald’s is aiming to open the new 24-hour restaurant by the end of 2026 with an operational works permit currently sitting with Cairns Regional Council.
Council approved the development application in May 2024 and recently ticked off minor changes to the approval.
According to planning documents, the new golden arches at Cairns North requires acoustic barriers and restrictions for larger delivery trucks and waste collection to reduce impact on neighbours.
It will also have bigger drive-through than usual to help manage traffic flow along Sheridan Street.
McDonald’s Earlville was the franchise’s last Cairns restaurant to open in 2024.
Originally published as Maccas plans golden expansion in Cairns suburb
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