HSBC backs Scottish restaurateur with £500,000 funding

Scottish restaurateur Jim Maclean, director of JE Restaurants, which operates three McDonalds franchises in the West of Scotland, has undertaken a project to future-proof his Darnley restaurant thanks to a £500,000 funding package from HSBC.

The finance has enabled JE Restaurants to install a state-of-the-art digital framework in its Darnley branch.

The new technology is part of the ‘Experience of the Future’ initiative currently being rolled out by McDonalds, and includes digital ordering boards and customer operated self-service kiosks.

Since installing the technology, sales have increased by almost ten per cent in five months, with a number of new jobs expected to be created thanks to the increased instore footfall.

JE Restaurants Director, Jim Maclean, said: “This investments allows the Darnley store to enjoy the very latest in customer service technology. With the shift of man-power from the order desk to the kitchen, we have changed the way we interact with the customer and improved productivity, ensuring our customer continues to be at the very heart of the experience. The new digital capabilities, made possible through the HSBC finance package, have also future-proofed our business by opening us to a mobile ordering and delivery service.”

Susan Rowand, HSBC head of business banking in Scotland, added: “It’s incredibly encouraging to see our customers staying at the very cutting edge of technology within their businesses, and we’re proud to support JE Restaurants achieve growth with both funding and expertise in a competitive market. JE Restaurants has been with HSBC for four years, and we’re looking forward to seeing what opportunities their latest expansion leads to.”

The finance was allocated from HSBC’s national £10 billion SME fund to actively support UK SMEs. £500 million is specifically designated to support Scottish firms and rebalance the economy outside of London.