The US-based fast food giant McDonald’s stirred up competition in the fast food market in Coimbatore by opening its first retail outlet in the city on Monday.

While its arch rival KFC runs an outlet 3 km away on Avinashi Road, the city also has Domino’s Pizza outlets. McDonald’s fast food outlet has been opened in an upcoming mall close to several educational institutions.

Amit Jatia, Vice-Chairman, Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Ltd (HRPL), that runs McDonald’s operations in West and South India, describes Coimbatore as  an important market for McDonald’s in the State, and said he was ‘on the lookout for opportunities to expand further in the region’. 

Smita Jatia, Managing Director, HRPL, said the company planned to focus on the Southern market in the current year. It planned to open 30-35 outlets in Tamil Nadu and hire 2,000–2,500 employees from the South in the next three–four years.

McDonald’s said in a release its restaurant at Fun Republic Mall in Peelamedu on Avinashi Road would serve a special menu that met Indian tastes. Its offering would also be easy on the purse. The McValue Lunch, available between 12 noon and 3 pm, was priced at Rs 50. The vegetarian offerings include the McVeggie Burger, Paneer Wrap, McAloo Tikki Burger, and Pizza McPuff. McDonald’s has launched the McEgg burger under the Happy Price Menu for Rs 25.

While Amit Jatia spearheads McDonald’s operations in West and South India through his venture, Vikram Bakshi’s Connaught Plaza Restaurants Private Ltd runs its operations in North and East India. While Amit Jatia’s company has been awarded Development Licensee status by McDonald’s Corporation, Vikram Bakshi’s Connaught Plaza Restaurants Private Ltd is still a joint venture with McDonald’s Corporation. 

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