Planning Analyst

About Us

McDonald’s has run its business in the UK since 1974 and currently operates over 1500 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, serving almost four million customers each day. McDonald’s is one of the UK’s largest private sector employers, employing over 170,000 people.

This role is hybrid, working 3 days in the office and 2 days remotely. You can be based at either our Leeds or London office, with the East Finchley office being the primary location for London-based employees.

The individual will be required to support the Location Planning team through the administration, maintenance and analysis of data which can then be used to refine the new restaurant strategy and the sales and impact estimation process.

• Provide administrative support to the Location Planning team by ensuring all datasets are maintained, accurate, and updated regularly. This will include regular use of GIS & mapping tools
• Assist with the preparation and timely distribution of reports, ensuring deadlines are met and deliverables are completed on schedule
• Support the analysis of restaurant-specific data (internal and external) to aid business decision-making and strategic development.
• Support in the re-approval process for pipeline sites, ensuring previously approved sales and impact estimates are reviewed and updated as required.
• Maintain, update and improve McDonald’s estate databases, along with competitor and other POI datasets
• Assist in the tracking, reporting and communicating of competitor openings, reporting insights on their strategy
• Supporting the Exec sign off process for new sites, ensuring the relevant due diligence is delivered in a timely manner.
• Support relationships with external consultants and data suppliers, ensuring deliverables are received on time and value is maximised.
• Monitor sales performance and impacts post restaurant opening, providing analysis, insight and recommendations to the team and other internal functions. Findings of which will inform the future strategy and sales/impact estimation process
• Respond to wider business requests for geo-demographic data and analysis, ensuring accurate and timely delivery.

You will be part of the Location Planning function in the Acquisitions Team, forming part of the wider Real Estate Development Department, which includes Construction and Estates Management. Location is flexible although an ability to spend at least 1 day per week at Head Office in East Finchley or Leeds is essential, with 2/3 days additionally per month at regional team meetings.

Initially it is likely and beneficial to have more face to face contact at Head Office, so be prepared to spend up to 3 days per week in East Finchley or Leeds

Location Planning colleagues, who ultimately support the Surveyors in the Acquisitions team, and occasionally those within the Estates Management team.

What background do I need to have?

• Degree in a numerate and/or GIS or geography discipline essential, but a related background such as Business Management/Economics is also very beneficial
• A strong grasp of UK & Ireland geography, with a good knowledge of the restaurant and retail sector
• Experience of providing administrative and analytical support within a geo-spatial context
• Excellent attention to detail
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables and lookups and also GIS tools such as Map Info or ArcGIS
• An interest in analysing customer, transactional and market data
• Experience of cross-matching datasets from different sources to identify and reconcile differences
  • Strong reporting skills required to explain data findings, providing effective and influential insight
  • Must be a self-starter, with ability to manage own priorities and workload accordingly
  • Be a good team player with the knowledge and enthusiasm to learn and develop
  • Demonstrate the company’s core values and a commitment to providing excellent customer service (essential)
  • Full UK driving licence (beneficial)

Our Global vision is to build a better McDonald’s and in the UK and Ireland we are working…