FAST FOOD CHAIN McDonalds has created 60 jobs with the opening of its latest outlet in Ballymun, its 80th Irish restaurant.

The new outlet in Gulliver’s Retail Park, just off the M50, brings the country’s total Irish workforce to 3,850. That number makes the chain Ireland’s third-largest multinational employer.

The new outlet cost €2m to build, and the company says that the “vast majority” of its 80 employees come from the local area.

Local franchisee Ian Carroll said the restaurant had “already proven to be a big hit with customers” and expressed satisfaction that the jobs were filled by people from the area.

“Ballymun has been in need of a restaurant like this for some time and it has got off to a strong start,” he said.

McDonald’s Ireland managing director Joan Atherton said the new restaurant showed his company’s commitment to invest in the Irish economy.

McDonald’s had planned to create 250 jobs in Ireland over the course of 2011, but now expects to create almost 300 positions with more due in 2012.

AP today reports, meanwhile, that McDonald’s stores in the UK are to begin displaying the calorie values of their meals on each menu, as part of a British governmental programme encouraging customers to consider a healthier diet.