A REPORT to mark the 40th anniversary of fast food chain McDonald's in the UK has claims the business and its suppliers make a combined annual contribution of £6.6 million to York's economy.

McDonald’s opened its first York restaurant in September 1986 in Blake Street, above, and now has four restaurants in the city, employing almost 400 people.

The ‘Serving the UK: McDonald’s at 40 Report’ has revealed the York franchise contributes more than £6 million every year to the local economy.

The figures is based on the net income and salaries earned by McDonald’s, franchisees and employees, as well as net income and salaries earned by suppliers and their employees, and the net income and salaries earned by businesses as a result of purchases made by McDonald’s employees and supplier employees.

York franchisee John Atherton said: "It’s important for me to be able to invest in the area and provide a significant number of jobs to local people.

"In April we expanded the Clifton Moor restaurant, adding a dual lane drive-thru, which has already created around 40 new jobs for the local community.

“We have a fantastic education programme in place, meaning that all of my people from a crew member starting out in their first job, to a restaurant manager has the chance to learn whilst they earn.

"My ambition is to continue the great work that my teams are already doing in York from daily litter patrols to supporting larger scale community events for many more years to come.”