Fast food chain McDonald’s is to create 700 jobs across the country over the next three years.

The organisation announced plans for a €20 million investment in its Irish operations between now and the end of 2015, which will include the opening of 12 new restaurants.

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Jobs John Perry, who this morning opened the company's newest restaurant in Airside, Co Dublin, welcomed the news.

"The McDonald's model offering local business people the opportunity to run their own business as franchisees has been very successful over the last 35 years," Mr Perry said.

The new opening has created 82 positions, brings the total number employed by McDonald's in Ireland to 4,054.

Other new outlets are to open in Dublin, Kilkenny, Ballina and Kildare village. A number of other sites are under consideration and recruitment for the jobs is expected to get under way in January.

Managing director of McDonald's Ireland Adrian Crean said the company took pride in creating jobs and supporting Irish suppliers.

A recent analysis by Indecon Economic Consultants found McDonald's overall expenditure in the Irish economy on food, restaurants and labour last year was €283.7 million.

Sales at McDonald’s Ireland rose by 3.3 per cent to €209 million last year

PA