McDonald's Malaysia plans to invest more thanRM200m ($43m) to open 36 new restaurant outlets in the state of Sabah by 2030, Bernama has reported.

As part of this initiative, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between McDonald's Malaysia and Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP).

McDonald's Malaysia managing director and local operating partner Datuk Azmir Jaafar explained that currently there are 16 McDonald's venues operating in the state of Sabah, and has created 1,600 employment opportunities in the region.

Jaffar was quoted by the news agency as saying: “Besides that, two more new restaurants will be opened in Tawau.”

He added that once all the outlets are opened, it would create an additional 5,000 jobs across entire state including Kota Kinabalu.

The project involves the collaboration with KKIP for the acquiring 1.6 hectares of land owned by KKIP, Jaffar added.

The land area will be used for the construction of manufacturing facilities, warehouses and delivery centres.

Upon completion, these facilities are expected to serve as a food hub catering the operations of the restaurant chain in East Malaysia.

The restaurant chain suppliers Bimbo QSR, Tyson Foods and HAVI Logistics will be involved in the food hub.

Bimbo QSR will be responsible for supplying bun and bread and Tyson Foods for the supply of vegetables and protein products such as nuggets and meat slices.

Havi Logistics will serve as the main distribution company, providing facilities for supply delivery to McDonald’s, Jaffar added.