McDonald’s announced on Monday it will hire up to 375,000 restaurant workers across the United States this summer, marking its largest seasonal recruitment drive in years.

In 2020, the fast-food giant launched a major hiring drive, adding 260,000 workers as stores reopened after pandemic-related lockdowns.

According to the Associated Press, the increase in job postings is primarily linked to McDonald’s continuing expansion throughout the nation. As it has more than 13,500 locations already open across the US, the restaurant chain seeks to open another 900 outlets through 2027. The growth plan is one of the more aggressive plans proposed for a turnaround in restaurant visits post-pandemic.

McDonald’s US president Joe Erlinger and US Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer made the announcement together at a restaurant near Columbus, Ohio. “Through the expansion of their employees, McDonald’s is fueling economic opportunity and creating a robust benchmark for industry growth,” DeRemer said.

The announcement also marked the 10-year milestone of its “Archways to Opportunity” program. Since its inception, the program has helped more than 90,000 employees with tuition assistance, English language courses, and career development tools investing $240 million in employee education.

Anamaria Monterroso, a veteran McDonald’s employee and part-time HR student, credited the company’s program with helping her to pursue a college education. “Just because you work at fast food doesn’t mean your dreams will end there,” she declared.

(With inputs from Associated Press)

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