McDonald’s Fiji has confirmed plans to expand its footprint with a new outlet in Lami next year and is poised to bring the global fast-food chain to Vanua Levu with an agreement for a restaurant in Labasa, the company’s managing director said on Monday.
In an interview in Nadi, Marc McElrath said construction for the Lami branch is expected to begin early next year. He also revealed that an agreement for a McDonald’s in Labasa is “just about to be signed”, although that project remains at an early stage. “That is still in the early days, but we are hoping that will take McDonald’s to Vanua Levu in the north in future,” McElrath said.
The announcements come as McDonald’s Fiji marked a milestone this year: the franchise first opened in Nadi on May 1, 1996 and recently celebrated its 30th anniversary with key suppliers and invited guests. McElrath reflected on the company’s three-decade presence in Fiji, noting steady growth since the single restaurant launch in 1996. “We started in 1996 with one restaurant and progressively grew to more and more restaurants throughout Fiji,” he said.
McElrath emphasised the company’s role in workforce development, saying McDonald’s has been a training ground for young Fijians transitioning into wider industries such as tourism and hospitality. “For me, the biggest achievement is the number of people that we have trained and who have gone on to become successful in many industries in Fiji — the tourism and hotel industry,” he said, adding that many staff members have moved on to “bigger and better jobs throughout Fiji.”
Local residents may see tangible benefits if the Labasa plan proceeds, including new employment opportunities and the introduction of a multinational franchise to Vanua Levu. McElrath did not provide a firm opening date for either project, reiterating that the Labasa plan is still in the preliminary stages while the Lami site is closer to breaking ground.
The planned expansion reflects McDonald’s continued investment in Fiji’s market after 30 years of operations. While the chain has concentrated its outlets largely on Viti Levu and tourism hubs, the move toward Labasa suggests a strategic push into the northern islands. Company officials have not yet disclosed the precise number of outlets currently operating in Fiji or the exact locations slated for the new builds.
McDonald’s Fiji is expected to finalise the Labasa agreement in the coming weeks and to commence construction in Lami early next year, according to McElrath. Further details on site locations, construction timelines and staffing plans are likely to follow as the projects move out of the planning phase.