McDonald's outlets to go on the market

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Dozens of high profile sites are set to hit the market as struggling fast-food chain McDonald's offloads restaurants across the UK.Reports are that...

Dozens of high profile sites are set to hit the market as struggling fast-food chain McDonald's offloads restaurants across the UK.

Reports are that the group has already identified at least 12 unwanted outlets and has plans to scale back openings in 2003 to about 20.

The cuts reflect McDonald's difficulties in adapting to the changing tastes of consumers and it is understood that the disposals are designed to weed out its weaker performing restaurants.

If McDonald's continues to close sites across the UK it could present mixed issues for those in the pub trade. It could spell good news for pub and bar companies who are looking for suitable high profile sites for expansion.

Barry Gillham, chairman of Fleurets, said: "McDonald's sites are exactly where the bar operators want to be.

"This could be the last chance to get really substantial sites in key areas before the threatened change to planning law means a transfer from restaurant to bar will become much more difficult."

But with operators on the high street struggling to compete and operators such as SFI and Po Na Na failing to sell their underperforming sites, the influx of new premises could also have a downside onto the market.

"It is only to be regretted that the sale comes at a time when most high street operators are themselves retrenching or reconsidering their options," said Mr Gillham.

"Indeed, McDonald's may be chasing some of the same potential buyers for their sites that bar operators had been hoping to sell their less successful units to."

Sites for sale