McDonald's To Open 1,000 New Locations In 2010

CHICAGO (AP) — McDonald's Corp., already the world's largest hamburger chain, will add 1,000 locations next year, the fast food chain said Thursday.

During a meeting with Wall Street analysts, executives said the new locations will will be concentrated in China, Australia, Russia, Germany, France and the U.S.

McDonald's already operates 32,000 restaurants in 100 countries.

Meanwhile, the restaurant chain said it planned to rehab the inside and outside of 2,300 restaurants next year, about half of which will be in Europe.

The dual efforts, along with other construction plans, will cost about $2.4 billion.

McDonald's, which is based in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, Ill., expects its 2009 capital expenditures to hit $2.1 billion this year as it opens nearly 900 new restaurants, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

McDonald's shares fell 58 cents to $62.23 in late-afternoon trading Thursday.