Burger chain McDonald's has binned plans for a global digital network linking its fast-food restaurants.

The 'Innovate' network was put on ice by the company as it focuses on near-term benefits and particularly on restaurant operations.

The move is expected to save the company tens of millions of dollars this year.

According to Dow Jones Newswires, the project was to begin this year in Canada and France. The US portion of McDonald's business was scheduled to be linked up in about two years' time.

In a memo dated 27 December, staff were told that the company had "made the very difficult decision to immediately stop all work on Innovate".

The memo, from vice chairman Jim Skinner, said that it was a "tough decision" that had been "dictated by our current business conditions and the need to focus on fewer priorities".

The move is expected to lead to some job losses.