Connaught Plaza Restaurants (CPRL), the master franchiser for McDonald's in north and east India, plans to invest up to Rs 12.8 billion over the next three to four years to expand its network. The store count will rise from 245 to 300 by end-2025 and reach 500 to 600 outlets by 2030, according to Vice Chairman Anant Agarwal.

CPRL, part of the $ 1.2 billion MMG Group, is also expanding McCafe, McDonald’s in-store cafe brand, from 125 to 200 outlets by the end of this year. The company focuses on modernising stores into the Experience of the Future format and entering Tier III and smaller cities with smaller-format outlets, ranging from 1,800 to 2,000 square feet.

Despite past challenges, CPRL is optimistic about penetrating new markets like Gangtok, Siliguri, and Guwahati, seeing robust demand from these regions. Tier II and Tier III cities are major focus areas, with demand often surpassing that of larger cities.

Currently, dine-in contributes 65 per cent of sales and delivery 35 per cent. CPRL aims to integrate McCafe across all future outlets as part of its growth strategy.

Source: Press Trust of India