American fast-food giant McDonald’s on Friday opened its first outlet here in Jammu and Kashmir, with a senior state official describing the event as a sign of restoration of peace and normalcy in the state.
The new restaurant, which is located on posh Residency Road in Jammu, was on
Friday inaugurated by Devender Rana, political advisor to chief minister Omar Abdullah.
Comes in peace
“This restaurant is the result of the restoration of peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, and under the leadership of Omar Abdullah-led coalition government this year is of prosperity, growth and economic resurgence,” Rana said.
The credit goes to the leadership of Omar, who has created such a peaceful environment and resurgence in tourism this year, he said and asked the McDonald team to take the footprint across the state to Kashmir and then Ladakh.
Expansion plans
The new restaurant’s opening is part of the company’s aggressive expansion plans in the northern region and is the 126th restaurant in north & east of India, he said.
“With the new restaurant at Jammu, we have entered a very important market in the state of J&K and brought all the world class products and service to the customers in the city that McDonald’s offers across the country,” managing director & J V Partner, McDonald’s India (North & East) Vikram Bakshi said.
Valley is next
Taking a cue from Rana, Bakshi said they will open three to four restaurants in Jammu and Kashmir, which will also include Kashmir.