McDonald’s announced on Monday, May 6, its plan to hire 375,000 workers across the United States during summer 2025. The announcement, made at a restaurant just outside of Columbus, Ohio, represents one of the chain’s most ambitious hiring initiatives in recent years.
The company is aiming to meet growing seasonal demand while laying the groundwork for long-term growth through expanded staffing. According to NBC News, this hiring effort also aligns with McDonald’s broader strategy to open 900 new restaurants across the country by 2027 and respond to shifting consumer traffic trends observed in recent quarterly sales results.
Summer Hiring Aligns With Aggressive Growth Plan
The hiring push supports McDonald’s goal of opening 900 new restaurants in the U.S. by 2027, with the broader objective of serving more customers during the peak summer period.
The announcement was made by Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, during a joint appearance with U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
According to a company spokesperson, the new hires will be distributed across both franchise-owned and company-operated locations, reinforcing staffing levels nationwide. McDonald’s currently operates over 38,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries, and it plans to reach 50,000 locations globally by 2027.
Addressing Slowdown in Traffic and Revenue
The hiring plan follows a difficult first quarter in McDonald’s U.S. business. In its latest earnings report, the company revealed that same-store sales declined by 3.6%, the largest drop since the second quarter of 2020, when sales fell 8.7% during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysts had forecast a smaller decrease of 1.7%.
Executives cited changing customer habits as a major factor. “People are just visiting less,” one executive said during the earnings call, noting that traffic among middle-income diners fell by nearly double digits.
Low-income customers also continued to reduce visits, especially for breakfast, as more people opt to eat at home to save money.
Strategic Timing Within Political and Economic Context
McDonald’s summer hiring surge comes as part of a wider corporate response to economic signals and political initiatives. The move coincides with efforts by the Trump administration to spur domestic investment and job creation.
According to the White House, more than $5 trillion in new U.S. investment commitments were secured during President Trump’s first 100 days in office.
Examples of these pledges include $500 billion in manufacturing investments by Apple, as well as $500 billion commitments from Nvidia and a consortium of companies including SoftBank and Oracle.
McDonald’s announcement, while not part of a formal federal program, fits within the broader trend of large corporations aligning their strategies with domestic expansion priorities.
Operational Momentum Despite Headwinds
While the fast-food chain faces a short-term decline in customer traffic, its leadership appears focused on scaling operations and labor infrastructure.
The summer season traditionally sees increased demand across the fast-food sector, particularly from younger consumers and travelers. The hiring initiative is expected to alleviate staffing pressures and ensure service continuity.
Despite the headwinds, McDonald’s long-term strategy emphasizes expansion and investment. By reinforcing its workforce during a seasonally strong period, the company aims to stabilize its performance while preparing for continued growth.
