McDonald's nationwide "hiring day" on April 19 landed about 1 million applications and yielded 62,000 new employees for both part- and full-time positions.
The results exceeded the company's original expectations to hire 50,000 employees on the day because of anticipated busy summer months, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
There are 14,000 McDonald's units in the U.S. and nearly all of them participated in the hiring extravaganza. Many restaurants experienced long lines of applicants.
Of the 62,000 new employees, approximately 1,000 of them are filling management positions.
The recent hires join the already 400,000 workers employed by the quick-service giant, headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill.
Earlier this month, McDonald's was named as one of the best hourly jobs by Working Mother Magazine. It was the only restaurant chain to make the list.
Canadian McDonald's nets nearly 5,000 new employees
Hiring day at the Golden Arches also extended north of the border. McDonald's Canada and its franchisees hired nearly 5,000 employees, about 1,000 more than expected, on April 19.
More than 33,000 Canadians across the country applied in-restaurant and online for the thousands of full and part-time crew and restaurant management positions.
"We're thrilled to have surpassed our hiring goal and to be providing nearly 5,000 Canadians with a challenging and rewarding career opportunity with McDonald's," said Len Jillard, chief people officer at McDonald's Canada. "Our restaurant employees are the foundation of our business and their role is vital to enhancing the McDonald's experience and to making our business strong."
McDonald's Canada was recently recognized as a top five employer in Aon Hewitt's study of Canada's Best Employers of 2011 for the ninth time – the only QSR in the country to earn the honor.
