Global food services retail giant McDonald's is planning a major expansion in India in the next three years.

It has lined up an investment of Rs 4 billion across 100 restaurants in this time frame.

Early this week, the restaurant chain opened its 78th outlet at Nashik, spread over 3,000 sq ft at a cost of Rs 30 million, excluding real estate cost.

The chain has a presence across more than 10 cities in the country including Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Baroda, Nashik, Chandigarh, Delhi and Jaipur.

It has already invested Rs 7 billion in the last nine years, V A  Kulkarni, assistant manager-sales, McDonald's said.

McDonald's sources food products from local companies -- fresh lettuce comes from Pune, Delhi, Nainital and Ooty, cheese from Dynamix Dairies, Baramati (Maharashtra), buns from Cremica, Phillaur (Punjab) and Bector & Sons, Khopoli (Maharashtra), sauce from Hindustan Lever, Thane (Maharashtra), chicken patties, vegetable patties, pies and pizzas from Vista Processed Foods, Taloja ( Maharashtra). Dairy products are sourced from Amrit Foods, Ghaziabad (UP).

( http://us.rediff.com)