Quick service restaurant McDonald's India (North and East) on Monday said it will hire around 5,000 people as it looks to double its outlets to cross 300 restaurants in the region over the next three year.

It rolled out its largest restaurant in India at Guwahati, spread across 6,700 sq ft with a capacity to feed 220 people at a time, on Monday as part of its expansion exercise.

Speaking to PTI, McDonald's India (North and East) Managing Director Rajeev Ranjan said the company is on a rapid growth path and looking to expand its network across the states under it.

"All issues and problems are behind us and we are focussed on growing our business," he said while replying to a query if the legal matters with the McDonald's earlier partner has been settled.

In 2020, the US fast food chain selected MMG Group Chairman Sanjeev Agrawal as its new partner to operate outlets in north and east India following buyout of 50 per cent stake from the estranged partner Vikram Bakshi, who had dragged the multinational giant into a long-drawn legal tussle. McDonald's is present in India through two master franchisees - Sanjeev Agrawal-led MMG group for north and east India and Westlife Group led by B L Jatia for west and south. Ranjan said the company currently operates 156 restaurants in north and east India and it is looking to double the number of outlets within the next three years.

Asked about the employee strength and future hiring plans, he said "We currently have over 5,000 employees on our rolls. As we expand we will continuously hire people. The number of employees will double in three years." Talking about the new outlet in Guwahati, Ranjan said it is McDonald's largest restaurant in the north and east India region.

"Guwahati, being the gateway for northeast India, is a strategic location for us with future expansion possibilities. We are working to open more outlets in northeastern region," he added.

Ranjan, however, declined to share details on future expansion plans in the NE.