McDonald's to open new outlets in China

McDonald's is planning a major expansion in China, featuring a 40 per cent increase in capital spending in 2011 over 2010 and including the addition of 150 to 200 restaurants - half of which are expected to be drive-thru outlets, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Additionally, McDonald's said it plans to remodel 80 per cent of its existing stores in China by 2013, swapping out the red and yellow decor for a more European-style bistro design, the WSJ said.

"We're committed to China, changing the face of the brand to become a place where young consumers want to come and stay," Kenneth Chan, chief executive officer of McDonald's China operations, said.

McDonald's Corp., which operates 32,000 restaurants in about 100 countries, including about 1,100 in China, has been in China for 20 years.