McDonald's has opened its latest franchise at a popular shopping centre.

The fast-food giant has made its return to the Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, right next to Frankie & Benny’s restaurant.

More than 100 jobs have been created by the opening in Gillingham today.

Plans for the new branch were unveiled in September and it has filled the vacant unit which was previously occupied by Bird, which specialised in chicken and waffles. That left in 2022 when the chain ceased trading.

McDonald’s used to have a branch at the shopping centre more than a decade ago but moved out before it received a £16m makeover announced in 2014.

As part of the renovation, the former car showroom next to the centre that had housed McDonald’s was knocked down and replaced with a new building with six units.

Also at the shopping centre is a Burger King drive-thru, Bella Italia, Nandos, Costa and Subway.

But it is not the only fast food store that is set to open in the shopping centre.

German Doner Kebab is planning to take up residence in the vacant lot once occupied by Santander bank.

The Kebab chain submitted its proposals to Medway Council back in November after the nationwide bank shut in June 2021.

Meanwhile, Home Bargains is seeking planning permission from the council to open a store in the former BHS.

Since the high street giant folded in 2016 the lot has been home to short-term lets, including M&Co between 2017 and 2020, Sainsbury’s during its refurbishment works between 2020 and 2021, and more recently to Christmas Time over the festive period.