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Business / World Business

McDonald's adding 1,500 outlets in China, S.Korea, Hong Kong

Published: 31 Mar 2016 - 11:39 am | Last Updated: 12 Nov 2021 - 09:55 am
Peninsula

Yokozuna-ranked, or grand champion, sumo wrestler Hakuho takes a bite out of a hamburger during a promotional event for McDonald's Japan in Tokyo on March 31, 2016. The Mongolian-born sumo wrestler won the spring sumo tournament in Osaka on March 27 to extend his record for grand tournament victories to 36. (AFP / TORU YAMANAKA)

BEIJING: McDonald's Corp. says it plans to open 1,500 new restaurants in China, South Korea and Hong Kong as it looks to faster-growing markets to help drive a global turnaround.

McDonald's said Thursday it also will give local managers more decision-making power to respond to Asian customers.

McDonald's, based in Oak Brook, Illinois, is overhauling its business under CEO Steve Easterbrook after acknowledging it failed to keep up with changing tastes. The total number of diners visiting its restaurants fell last year.

Easterbrook said in a statement that Asia represents an opportunity to "blend our global quality standards with local insights." He said the new outlets will allow the company to "accelerate our growth" and transform its business.

AP