The US fast-food company, McDonald's, said yesterday it would invest $400 million in central Europe over the next three years, doubling the number of restaurants to more than 800.

"The performance of our operations in emerging markets like central Europe is a cornerstone of the company's growth internationally," said Mr James Skinner of McDonald's International.

"At the end of 1992, McDonald's had only 60 or so restaurants in five countries in central Europe. Today, our over 400 restaurants in 17 countries are just the beginning of our potential in this dynamic part of the world."