McDonald’s opens in Almeirim, taking its Portuguese network to 223 restaurants

McDonald’s has opened a restaurant in Almeirim, bringing the brand’s total number of outlets in Portugal to 223. Located in the town’s industrial area, the new restaurant will be run by franchisee Ana Margarida Teixeira and is expected to create 60 direct jobs, with staff recruited locally.

Opening strengthens presence in Ribatejo

The opening ceremony took place on the afternoon of 26 October, attended by the Mayor of Almeirim, Joaquim Catalão, the President of Almeirim Parish Council, Helena Fidalgo, and the Managing Director of McDonald’s Portugal, Albert Ahumada. The opening was reported by the newspaper O MIRANTE on 27 October.

Located on Avenida Professor José de Sousa Gomes, the restaurant adds another outlet to the brand’s presence in the municipality. It opens daily from 8am to 2am, providing a dining option for Almeirim residents and visitors to the region.

The figure of 223 restaurants reflects the size of the Portuguese network following this opening. In Almeirim, the operation brings together indoor dining, outdoor seating, a drive-through and home delivery, offering several ways to order and enjoy the brand’s food from a single location.

Management entrusted to a regional franchisee

Ana Margarida Teixeira takes charge of the Almeirim restaurant. She is also responsible for McDonald’s restaurants in Ribatejo and Carregado, so the new outlet joins an operation already established in the area.

During the opening ceremony, the franchisee thanked her family, partners and team for their dedication and support. The event marked the launch of a restaurant managed by a businesswoman who already oversees other outlets within the brand’s network.

For Portugal’s franchising community, this opening is a concrete example of expansion through an existing franchisee. Rather than a brand entering the country for the first time, it represents an extension of its local presence through a new outlet run by a regional operator.

The expected creation of 60 direct jobs accompanies this expansion. Recruitment was carried out locally, linking the restaurant’s opening to employment in the area. This figure refers to the jobs expected at the Almeirim outlet, not across all the restaurants managed by the franchisee.

More than 200 seats indoors and outdoors

The new restaurant has 134 indoor seats and a further 72 on its terrace, giving a total of 206. An outdoor Playland children’s play area forms part of the restaurant’s family facilities.

The private car park has 36 spaces, including spaces for families and people with reduced mobility. Two electric vehicle charging points are also available.

These facilities complement the restaurant’s service capacity. The layout caters both for customers eating in, through its indoor and outdoor dining areas, and for those arriving by car to collect orders.

The industrial-area location and dedicated parking are specific features of this opening. Together with the indoor and terrace seating capacity, they define the format chosen for the brand’s Almeirim outlet.

McDrive, app ordering and home delivery

Services include a McDrive with two access lanes. According to the information released about the opening, this layout is intended to make drive-through service easier and quicker for customers.

Orders can also be placed through the brand’s mobile app for collection in the car park or inside the restaurant. The outlet also offers home delivery, providing an alternative to visiting in person.

The opening therefore combines in-person service with several ordering and collection options. For those following the franchising sector, it illustrates not only the network’s geographical expansion but also the services and facilities included in a new operation.

In practice: anyone considering investing in a franchised restaurant should assess the location, team size, premises capacity and service channels together, rather than focusing solely on brand recognition.