The milestone outlet in Gujarat, India, marks a new expansion landmark for McDonald’s Asia Business Unit as the company accelerates its regional growth strategy.
McDonald’s has opened its 4,000th restaurant across its Asia Business Unit (ABU), with the milestone outlet located in GIFT City, Gujarat, India. The opening coincides with the 30th anniversary of McDonald’s in India and the 500th restaurant operated by Westlife Foodworld across the country’s western and southern markets.
The global quick-service restaurant chain is targeting 5,000 restaurants across its Asia Business Unit by 2030. It has added 735 restaurants across the unit over the past three years, reflecting the region’s importance to its international expansion strategy. The Asia Business Unit covers 12 markets, including India, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and South Korea.
The new restaurant spans approximately 3,200 sq. ft. and offers dine-in and delivery services. With the opening, McDonald’s presence in Gujarat has reached 72 restaurants, including 31 standalone drive-thru outlets. The state has been part of the brand’s Indian expansion since 2002 and also contributes to its supply chain through locally grown potatoes used in its fries.
“Reaching 4,000 restaurants is an important milestone for McDonald’s in Asia and reflects the strength of our local businesses and the demand we continue to see across the region,” said Patrick Walsh, Asia Business Unit Lead.
McDonald’s entered India in 1996 and operates through regional partners rather than a single nationwide franchise operator. Westlife Foodworld, through its subsidiary Hardcastle Restaurants, operates the brand across West and South India, while Connaught Plaza Restaurants is authorised to develop and operate restaurants in North and East India.
Westlife Foodworld plans to expand its network to more than 580 restaurants across West and South India by FY28. It also aims to increase its Gujarat presence to 100 restaurants over the next two to three years, supported by investments in restaurant development, digital innovation and customer convenience.
Akshay Jatia, Chief Executive Officer of Westlife Foodworld, said the milestones reflect the foundations built over three decades and the growth opportunities ahead. He added that the company’s strategy centres on understanding changing customer needs, investing ahead of demand and strengthening the McDonald’s experience across markets, formats and channels.
For the broader Asia business, McDonald’s is also using regional markets to develop products and customer experiences that could be adapted elsewhere. The company has highlighted its hand-breaded chicken offering, first successfully developed in Malaysia, as an example of regional innovation, with tests planned in the United States and Ireland in 2027.
The 4,000-restaurant milestone reinforces Asia’s role in McDonald’s international growth plans, with India contributing through new restaurant openings, regional operating partnerships and a growing local supply chain.
