McDonald’s Japan enjoys highest sales in 36-year history

McDonald’s Japanese franchise chain McDonald's Holdings Co Japan has reported the highest level of sales in the company's 36-year history. 

In March the operator of 3,828 restaurants said its monthly sales hit 43.05 billion yen (£180.8m)

The company can now put the last difficult decade behind it during which it saw profits and sales sink and the company near bankruptcy.

McDonald’s Japan attributes its new found success to introducing a new regular menu and limited-season products, such as the Mega-Mac, as well as offering round-the-clock services.

Restaurants also received interiors upgrades on a par with up-market UK venues, a change in music from piped pops to the smoother sounds of jazz and burgers inspired by local dishes such as the prawn burger.

Critics say the high sales figures come at a heavy cost to less frequented McDonalds franchisees, who are being forced to shutdown under heavy debts.

The ratio of directly operated company shops to franchisees is now over 70%.

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By Michael Fitzpatrick

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