McDonald's HR department takes credit for success

McDonald's HR chief David Fairhurst has insisted that his department can take "significant" credit for the fast-food giant's success this year.

The company this month announced plans to hire 4,000 more workers to cope with an extra two million customers per month.

McDonald's served 40 million people in July, up from 38 million in the same month last year, and Fairhurst said better people management was a major factor in the increase. Other influences included the economic downturn, healthier menus and modernised interiors, he said.

Without a doubt, consumers are feeling the pinch and are questioning whether they need to spend £3 on a Starbucks coffee, or £100 on a family meal at a pub," he told Caterersearch sister website PersonnelToday.com. "There have also been menu improvements, and the restaurants look very different.

"But there is a strong correlation between a store's results and the quality of that store's managers and training. HR has invested £15m a year on training and delivering confidence and competence. The people element is a significant contribution."

McDonald's has launched a poster campaign in stores and at high-profile advertising spots to fill the 4,000 posts.

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By Daniel Thomas

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