McDonald’s says it’s raising pay for workers at its company-owned US restaurants, making it the latest employer to sweeten worker incentives in an improving economy.

The company owns about 10 per cent of its more than 14,300 US restaurants. The rest are run by franchisees.

The change comes as McDonald’s faces protests over pay and labour practices at its restaurants. McDonald’s and other franchisors say they don’t control pay or hiring practices at franchised locations.

Starting in July, the company says wages will be a US dollar more than the local minimum wage. By the end of 2016, the average hourly wage for McDonald’s workers at company owned stores will be more than $US10 an hour.

In addition to wage increases, McDonald’s says workers at company-owned stores will get paid time off.

AP