The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) President Tim Cullinan has welcomed the announcement by McDonald’s that they are planning to re-open some of their restaurants in Ireland next week.
The fast food giant recently revealed that it will reopen six of its drive-through restaurants in Dublin on Wednesday 20 May 2020.
“McDonald’s is a major purchaser of Irish beef, spending €160 million on 40,000 tonnes each year, and €200 million in the economy in total through their 130 restaurants," Cullinan noted.
"Beef farmers will be glad to see it re-opening. They will hope and need to see a price increase,” he said.
Cullinan said that the IFA recently had a conference call with McDonald’s where they briefed the group on their plans.
“McDonald’s is an iconic global brand and the fact they buy so much is recognition of the quality beef produced from our grass-based production system,” he said.
'Big Impact'
IFA National Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden said that the closing of restaurants across Europe has had a big impact on Irish farmers.
“The closure of the food service sector across Europe has hit the Irish beef sector hard and farmers are incurring huge losses. The sooner the sector can re-open fully, the better,” he said.
€30 Cap Per Car
Paul Pomroy, CEO McDonald's UK and Ireland said that the reopened restaurants will be capping spend at €30 per car and that he encourages customers to pay by contactless payment methods wherever possible.
"In the last few days, updated government guidance has been shared in both the UK and Ireland, which makes it clear that takeaways and deliveries can operate," Pomroy noted.
"In early June, we will then begin our next phases of reopening our drive-throughs in towns and cities across the UK and Ireland," he added.
© 2020 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
