12 th January 2026: On National Youth Day, McDonald’s India – North & East marks a major milestone in empowering youth across the region. Through its flagship initiative, McDonald’s for Youth,’ the brand has helped over 2,500 young individuals take their first steps into the workforce, significantly exceeding the initiative’s original hiring goals.
The program focuses on creating meaningful employment opportunities for young people, particularly those from lessprivileged backgrounds, by partnering with non-governmental organizations and community groups, while equipping participants with essential skills, confidence, and pathways for long- term growth.
Launched with the aim of contributing to India’s growth story, the initiative has played a crucial role in helping many individuals secure their first job and develop workplace skills. It integrates McDonald’s global training curriculum, covering areas such as customer service, communication, teamwork, food safety and hygiene, and professional development.
Commenting on the achievement, Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North and East, said, “At McDonald’s, we believe every person has the opportunity to grow, learn, and discover their potential. Through ‘McDonald’s for Youth,’ we have supported over 2,500 young individuals in taking their first steps into the workforce, equipping them not just with skills, but with confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose. Each story of growth reminds us that meaningful opportunities can transform lives, strengthen communities, and build a foundation for a brighter future. This milestone reflects our commitment to empowering youth and creating pathways that extend far beyond the restaurant walls.”
Since its inception, the initiative has expanded across tier 1 and 2 markets, including Delhi NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In its current phase, the program is increasingly driven by local catchment-based outreach, where teams engage directly with nearby villages and communities. Through direct engagement with nearby communities and villages, McDonald’s and its NGO partners have enabled greater awareness of structured employment opportunities and supported higher youth participation across markets.
Participants recruited under the programme undergo training across core areas including food safety and hygiene, customer service, cash handling, teamwork and restaurant operations, equipping them with transferable skills that enhance employability within McDonald’s as well as across the wider service sector.
Following the successful completion of this milestone, McDonald’s India – North and East plans to scale the initiative further and is inviting NGO partners across cities, including Kolkata, Bhubaneshwar, Lucknow, and others to collaborate on the next phase of youth employment. If you’re running an NGO and interested in participating in this drive, kindly reach out to us at hiring.ngo@del.in.mcd.com.