McDonald's UK is to create at least 2,500 new jobs across the country this year, taking its workforce to 90,000.
An estimated 30% of those jobs will go to first-time workers, with more than half expected to go to young people under the age of 25.
The news was welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who visited McDonald's UK training centre in East Finchley, London, this morning.
The new jobs build on the 13,500 jobs McDonald's has created over the past three years.
Jill McDonald, chief executive of McDonald's UK, said: "Despite these difficult economic conditions our continued emphasis on good-quality food at affordable prices and improving the experience for our customers and our people has meant that we are able to continue to invest in the business and create jobs.
"Today's job market is particularly tough for young people so it remains vital that these jobs continue to offer great training programmes that teach the valued, transferable skills that will give them a solid footing on the career ladder and help them to progress their careers with us or other employers."
McDonald's has awarded almost 35,000 qualifications from maths and English certificates to foundation degrees in the past five years.
By Neil Gerrard
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