The BSE-listed Westlife Development Ltd. has confirmed that Hardcastle Restaurants Private Limited (HRPL) - the master franchise for McDonald's south and west operations - will consolidate with it.

Last year, America-based burger-and-fries chain McDonald's had sold its 50 per cent stake in HRPL to the BL Jatia-promoted Westlife Development, which converted HRPL into a franchise operation.

The recent development, which made HRPL a direct subsidiary of Westlife Development, aims at accelerating growth of fast food chain McDonald's.

Jatia, vice-chairman of Westlife Development, said, "The consolidation of our companies under Westlife Development opens up options for us to accelerate our growth plans for expanding McDonald's restaurants in west and south India."

HRPL, which operates a total of 148 restaurants across west and south India, enjoyed a year-on-year increase of 126 per cent in net profit to Rs 425.1 million in 2011-12. Revenue for the same period jumped 44 per cent to Rs 5.44 billion. The fast food chain has been expanding at a CAGR of 22.34 per cent for the past three years.

Jatia said the chain's expansion plans include refurbishment of its restaurants and extension of the brand to formats such as kiosks, McDelivery and around-the-clock operations.