HRPL to double McDonald's presence in India

Hardcastle Restaurant Private Limited (HRPL) is all set to double McDonald presence in India as its Development Licensee (DL).Earlier both had a joint venture. The change in the nature of agreement would help McDonald to leverage major present and future expansion opportunities offered by fast growing Indian economy for the brand.

The company has aggressive plans for India and HRPL is planning to invest Rs 500 crore in foreseeable future and aspires to double its presence in India in next three years. HRPL plans to operate 30 McDonald stores in South and West India in year 2011. Earlier in 2010, McDonald’s India opened 33 new outlets of which two-third of the new restaurants were in South and West India through HRPL.

Hardcastle Restaurant has joined other McDonald’s businesses such as Latin America where the Development Licensee operates over 1, 700 restaurants and also in APMEA markets such as Turkey, Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

McDonald has several franchise models based on changing/ inconsistent markets/ conditions and stages of brand development and it is the world’s largest QSR chain with over 32, 500 restaurants in 117 countries out of which over 26, 300 are operated by varied franchise models, including 50 Development Licensed countries.