McDonald’s is one of the most recognisable fast-food chains globally, with its iconic golden arches symbolising convenience, affordability, and familiarity.
Since its inception in 1940 in the United States, McDonald’s has grown into a global brand with a presence in over 100 countries. In the UK, McDonald’s is a staple in the fast-food industry, offering everything from classic burgers and fries to unique, locally inspired menu items.
With a stronghold in the UK market, McDonald’s has become a significant part of British food culture, attracting millions of customers each year. But just how many McDonald’s restaurants are there in the UK today?
This article delves into the numbers, the brand’s growth, and its broader impact on the UK economy and society.
The Growth of McDonald’s in the UK
McDonald’s began its journey in the UK in 1974, with the opening of its first restaurant in Woolwich, south-east London. This marked the start of a new era for the fast-food industry in the UK, with McDonald’s introducing quick, affordable meals to a growing customer base.
Since then, the brand has grown exponentially, becoming a key player in the UK’s dining landscape. The expansion of McDonald’s in the UK has been driven by strategic decisions to open outlets in major cities, towns, and even rural areas, ensuring widespread accessibility.
Key milestones in McDonald’s UK growth:
- The launch of the first UK drive-thru in Fallowfield, Manchester, in 1986.
- Opening over 1,000 restaurants by the early 2000s.
- Expanding delivery services through Uber Eats and Just Eat to meet growing demand.
- Introducing McCafé and vegetarian/vegan menu options to cater to diverse audiences.
By 2025, McDonald’s has reached 1,456 locations, a testament to its enduring popularity and adaptability.
How Many McDonald’s Restaurants Are Currently in the UK?
As of 2025, there are 1,456 McDonald’s restaurants in the United Kingdom. This positions the UK as one of McDonald’s top-performing markets in Europe, with a substantial number of outlets serving millions of customers annually.
Regional Breakdown of McDonald’s Outlets in the UK
McDonald’s restaurants are strategically distributed across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Here’s how the outlets are spread:
| Region | Number of McDonald’s Restaurants (2025) |
| England | ~1,120 |
| Scotland | ~150 |
| Wales | ~120 |
| Northern Ireland | ~66 |
- England: With over 1,100 outlets, England accounts for the majority of McDonald’s locations in the UK. Major cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham boast the highest concentrations of restaurants.
- Scotland: The brand has continued to expand in key cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen, with a growing presence in smaller towns as well.
- Wales and Northern Ireland: Both regions have seen steady growth, with McDonald’s catering to urban and rural communities alike.
The Impact of McDonald’s on the UK Economy
McDonald’s is more than just a fast-food giant; it’s a significant contributor to the UK economy.
- Job Creation: McDonald’s employs over 140,000 people across its UK operations, providing opportunities for individuals at all career stages. Its focus on training and development ensures that employees can progress within the company, making it a popular employer for young workers.
- Economic Contributions: The company contributes millions of pounds annually through taxes, business rates, and VAT. These funds support local governments and infrastructure development across the country.
- Support for British Suppliers: McDonald’s sources key ingredients such as beef, milk, and potatoes from British farmers, helping to support the agricultural economy. This local sourcing strengthens its ties to the UK and boosts its reputation as a responsible business.
McDonald’s Menu in the UK – A Local Touch
McDonald’s adapts its menu to cater to local tastes, and its UK outlets are no exception. While classic items like the Big Mac and fries remain staples, McDonald’s UK has developed unique offerings to suit the British palate.
- McPlant Burger: A fully vegan burger introduced to meet the growing demand for plant-based options.
- Seasonal Specials: Items like the Festive Burger and Spicy Chicken McNuggets often make limited-time appearances.
- Breakfast Menu: Breakfast wraps, hash browns, and porridge are tailored to British breakfast preferences.
By balancing global consistency with local innovation, McDonald’s has managed to remain relevant and appealing to UK customers.
Here is the full menu breakdown, presented in table format for clarity. This table outlines the key categories of the McDonald’s UK menu, including new and limited-time options, classic favourites, vegetarian and vegan items, and more.
What’s New on the Menu
| Category | Menu Item | Availability |
| Limited Time Only | BBQ Ranch Stack | Participating restaurants |
| Limited Time Only | McCrispy BBQ Smokehouse | Participating restaurants |
| Limited Time Only | The Katsu Chicken One – Grilled | Participating restaurants |
| Limited Time Only | The Katsu Chicken One – Crispy | Participating restaurants |
| Limited Time Only | Mozzarella Dippers | Participating restaurants |
| Limited Time Only | Mozzarella Dippers Sharebox | Participating restaurants |
| Limited Time Only | MILKY WAY McFlurry | Participating restaurants |
| Limited Time Only | Grimace Shake | Participating restaurants |
| Limited Time Only | Terry’s Chocolate Orange Pie | Participating restaurants |
| Available in Restaurants | Galaxy Caramel Latte | Selected locations |
| Available in Restaurants | Galaxy Caramel Hot Chocolate | Selected locations |
| Always Available | Chilli Double Cheeseburger | Nationwide |
Sharers & Bundles
| Menu Item | Description |
| Mozzarella Dippers Sharebox | Shareable box of Mozzarella Dippers |
| McDonald’s Chicken Sharebox | Selection of chicken favourites |
| 9 Chicken Selects Sharebox | Shareable box of crispy Chicken Selects |
| 20 Chicken McNuggets Sharebox | 20 pieces of McDonald’s iconic nuggets |
Burgers
| Menu Item | Description |
| BBQ Ranch Stack | Limited-time smoky BBQ burger |
| McCrispy BBQ Smokehouse | Limited-time crispy chicken burger |
| McSpicy | Spicy chicken burger |
| McPlant | Fully vegan plant-based burger |
| Big Mac | Iconic double-patty burger |
| Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese | Larger version of the classic Quarter Pounder |
| Quarter Pounder with Cheese | Single-patty cheese burger |
| Filet-o-Fish | Classic fish burger |
| Vegetable Deluxe | Vegetarian sandwich option |
| Triple Cheeseburger | Three layers of beef patties and cheese |
| Bacon Mayo Chicken | Chicken burger with crispy bacon |
| Cheeseburger | Classic beef and cheese sandwich |
McNuggets, Selects & Veggie Dippers
| Menu Item | Description |
| 9 Chicken McNuggets | Crispy chicken nuggets |
| 6 Chicken McNuggets | Perfect snack-sized nuggets |
| Chicken Selects | Premium crispy chicken strips |
| Veggie Dippers – 4 pieces | Vegetarian crispy dippers |
| Mozzarella Dippers | Limited-time cheese snack |
| Mozzarella Dippers Sharebox | Shareable portion of Mozzarella Dippers |
Wraps & Salads
| Menu Item | Description |
| The Katsu Chicken One – Grilled | Limited-time grilled chicken wrap |
| The Katsu Chicken One – Crispy | Limited-time crispy chicken wrap |
| The Sweet Chilli Chicken One – Grilled | Grilled chicken wrap with sweet chilli sauce |
| Grilled Chicken and Bacon Salad | Healthy option with grilled chicken |
| The Spicy Veggie One | Vegetarian wrap with spicy flavours |
| Side Salad | A simple and healthy side option |
McCafé Hot and Cold Beverages
| Menu Item | Type | Availability |
| Galaxy Caramel Latte | Hot Beverage | Selected Locations |
| Flat White | Hot Coffee | Nationwide |
| Toffee Latte | Hot Coffee | Nationwide |
| Frozen Strawberry Lemonade | Cold Beverage | Nationwide |
| Caramel Iced Frappé | Cold Beverage | Nationwide |
| Mango & Pineapple Smoothie | Cold Smoothie | Nationwide |
Breakfast Menu (Available until 11:00 am Daily)
| Menu Item | Description |
| Breakfast Wrap with Ketchup | Breakfast wrap with eggs and sausage |
| Mighty McMuffin – Brown Sauce | McMuffin with sausage, bacon, egg |
| Pancakes & Syrup | Pancakes served with maple syrup |
| Double Sausage & Egg McMuffin | Double sausage patty and egg sandwich |
| Egg & Cheese McMuffin | Vegetarian breakfast muffin option |
| Hash Brown | Crispy hash brown side |
Vegetarian & Vegan Options
| Menu Item | Diet | Description |
| McPlant | Vegan | Fully plant-based burger |
| Veggie Dippers – 4 pieces | Vegetarian | Crispy vegetable nuggets |
| The Spicy Veggie One | Vegetarian | Spicy wrap for vegetarians |
| McDonald’s Fries | Vegan | Classic golden fries |
| Pineapple Stick | Vegan | Healthy fruit snack |
Saver Menu
| Menu Item | Price-Friendly Options |
| Chilli Double Cheeseburger | Budget-friendly spicy cheeseburger |
| Mayo Chicken | Affordable chicken sandwich |
| Small McDonald’s Fries | Small-size fries for quick snacks |
Happy Meal Options
| Menu Item | Description |
| Hamburger Meal | Happy Meal with classic hamburger |
| Veggie Dippers (2 pieces) | Kid-friendly vegetarian option |
| Fish Fingers (3 pieces) Meal | Kid’s meal with crispy fish fingers |
Fries & Sides
| Menu Item | Description |
| McDonald’s Fries | Golden, crispy fries, a customer favourite. |
| Side Salad | A fresh and healthy option with mixed greens. |
| Pineapple Stick | Sweet, fresh-cut pineapple slices. |
| Carrot Sticks | Crunchy, kid-friendly vegetable sticks. |
Desserts
| Category | Menu Item | Availability |
| Limited Time Only | MILKY WAY McFlurry | Participating restaurants |
| Limited Time Only | Grimace Shake | Participating restaurants |
| Limited Time Only | Terry’s Chocolate Orange Pie | Participating restaurants |
| Always Available | Oreo® McFlurry | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Maltesers® McFlurry | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Smarties McFlurry | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Sugar Donut | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Chocolate Brownie | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Mixed Berry Muffin | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Triple Chocolate Cookie | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Apple Pie | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Pineapple Stick | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Strawberry Milkshake | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Vanilla Milkshake | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Chocolate Milkshake | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Banana Milkshake | Nationwide |
Milkshakes & Cold Drinks
| Category | Menu Item | Availability |
| Limited Time Only | Grimace Shake | Participating restaurants |
| Always Available | Iced Latte | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Coca-Cola Zero Sugar | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Diet Coke | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Sprite Zero | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Fanta Orange Zero | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Oasis Summer Fruits Zero | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Coca-Cola Classic | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Nestlé Pure Life Spring Water 250ml | Nationwide |
| Not available in all Restaurants | IRN-BRU | Selected locations only |
| Always Available | Frozen Strawberry Lemonade | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Mango & Pineapple Smoothie | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Caramel Iced Frappé | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Organic Milk | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Tropicana Orange Juice | Nationwide |
| Always Available | Robinsons Fruit Shoot | Nationwide |
| Not available in all Restaurants | Semi-Skimmed Milk 250ml | Selected locations only |
Main Meals Under 400kcal
| Menu Item | Description |
| The Sweet Chilli Chicken One – Grilled Meal | A grilled wrap with sweet chilli sauce under 400 kcal. |
| Veggie Dippers – 4 Pieces Meal | Crispy veggie dippers with a low-calorie count. |
| Grilled Chicken Salad Meal | A light salad featuring grilled chicken. |
| Crispy Chicken Salad Meal | Crispy chicken served over fresh greens. |
Main Meals Under 600kcal
| Menu Item | Description |
| The BBQ Chicken & Bacon One – Grilled Meal | Grilled wrap with smoky BBQ sauce and bacon under 600 kcal. |
| The Spicy Veggie One Meal | A vegetarian wrap bursting with spicy flavour. |
Full Menu: Breakfast Under 400kcal
| Menu Item | Description |
| Egg & Cheese McMuffin Meal | Vegetarian-friendly breakfast option under 400 kcal. |
| Muffin with Jam Meal | A sweet breakfast treat within a light calorie range. |
Condiments & Sauces
| Availability | Condiment or Sauce | Portion Size |
| Limited Time Only | Salsa Dip | 1 pot |
| Always Available | Tomato Ketchup | 21ml |
| Always Available | McDonald’s Balsamic Dressing | 30g |
| Always Available | BBQ Dip | 30g |
| Always Available | Sweet & Sour Dip | 30g |
| Always Available | Sweet Curry Dip | 30g |
| Always Available | Garlic Mayo Dip | 1 pot |
| Always Available | Sweet Chilli Dip | 1 pot |
| Always Available | Sweet & Smoky BBQ Dip | 40g |
| Always Available | Pancake Syrup | 40g |
| Always Available | Strawberry Jam | 15g |
| Always Available | Lurpak Spreadable | 1 portion |
| Always Available | Milk Portion | 1 portion |
| Always Available | Canderel® Yellow Sweetener Sachet | 1 sachet |
| Always Available | Sugar Stick | 1 stick |
| Always Available | Golden Syrup | 1 portion |
McDonald’s and Sustainability in the UK
McDonald’s UK has committed to reducing its environmental impact through various sustainability initiatives:
- Recycling and Packaging: The company has transitioned to 100% recyclable packaging and replaced plastic straws with paper ones in all its UK outlets.
- Carbon Emissions: Efforts to reduce emissions include the use of energy-efficient equipment and renewable energy sources in restaurants.
- Sustainable Farming: McDonald’s works closely with British farmers to ensure that ingredients are sourced responsibly, supporting ethical and sustainable farming practices.
These efforts reflect McDonald’s commitment to environmental stewardship and align with growing consumer demands for eco-friendly practices.
Conclusion
With 1,456 McDonald’s restaurants across the UK as of 2025, the brand’s presence remains strong and continues to grow. From its early days in Woolwich to becoming a cornerstone of the UK’s fast-food industry, McDonald’s has adapted to the evolving needs of British consumers while maintaining its iconic appeal.
Its impact extends beyond just food – through job creation, economic contributions, and sustainability initiatives, McDonald’s has solidified its role as a key player in the UK economy and culture. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or exploring new menu offerings, McDonald’s remains a go-to choice for millions across the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many McDonald’s restaurants are there in London?
London is home to over 200 McDonald’s outlets, making it the city with the highest concentration of restaurants in the UK.
What is the largest McDonald’s in the UK?
The largest McDonald’s in the UK is located at the Olympic Park in Stratford, London, which was built for the 2012 Olympics. It can accommodate over 1,500 customers.
Does McDonald’s deliver across all locations in the UK?
McDonald’s delivery services are available through platforms like Uber Eats and Just Eat, but availability depends on the restaurant’s location.
What is McDonald’s UK doing to reduce its environmental impact?
McDonald’s UK has implemented initiatives like recyclable packaging, reduced carbon emissions, and sustainable sourcing to minimise its environmental footprint.
How does McDonald’s UK compare to competitors like Burger King or KFC?
McDonald’s remains the market leader in the UK in terms of outlet numbers, revenue, and customer reach, surpassing competitors like Burger King and KFC.
Are there any fully vegan McDonald’s outlets in the UK?
No, there are no fully vegan McDonald’s restaurants in the UK, but they offer vegan options like the McPlant Burger.
What training opportunities does McDonald’s offer its employees in the UK?
McDonald’s provides extensive training programmes to its employees, including management development courses, apprenticeships, and flexible learning opportunities.
