McDonald's

{{Main|History of McDonald's}}

File:DowneyMcdonalds.jpg restaurant is the third one built, opened in 1953. It is located at 10207 Lakewood Blvd. at Florence Ave. in Downey, California (at {{coord|33.9471|-118.1182|display=inline}}).]]

Siblings Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald's at 1398 North E Street at West 14th Street in San Bernardino, California, on May 15, 1940. The brothers introduced the "Speedee Service System" in 1948, putting into expanded use the principles of the modern fast-food restaurant that predecessor White Castle had put into practice more than two decades earlier.{{Cite book |last=Bhandari |first=Arabinda |title=Strategic management: A Conceptual Framework |publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Education |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-259-02640-9 |location=New Delhi |page=148 |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Skrabec |first=Quentin R. |title=The 100 Most Significant Events in American Business: An Encyclopedia |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-313-39862-9 |location=Santa Barbara, CA |page=206 |language=en}} The original mascot of McDonald's was a hamburger-headed chef who was referred to as "Speedee".{{cite book |last1=Dotz |first1=Warren |last2=Morton |first2=Jim |title=What a Character! 20th Century American Advertising Icons |date=1996 |publisher=Chronicle Books |isbn=0-8118-0936-6 |pages=27–28}} In 1962, the Golden Arches replaced Speedee as the universal mascot.{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Mark |date=January 4, 2008 |title=Logos That Became Legends: Icons From the World of Advertising |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/logos-that-became-legends-icons-from-the-world-of-advertising-768077.html |access-date=February 4, 2024 |work=The Independent |language=en |issn=1741-9743 |archive-date=October 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003003651/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/logos-that-became-legends-icons-from-the-world-of-advertising-768077.html |url-status=live }} Clown mascot Ronald McDonald was introduced in 1963 to market the chain to children.{{Cite news |last=Horovitz |first=Bruce |title=McDonald's Sends In the Clown, Again |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/advertising/2001-12-11-ronald.htm |access-date=February 4, 2024 |work=USA Today |issn=0734-7456 |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908202430/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/advertising/2001-12-11-ronald.htm |url-status=live }}

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On May 4, 1961, McDonald's first filed for a U.S. trademark on the name "McDonald's" with the description "Drive-In Restaurant Services," which continues to be renewed. By September 13, McDonald's, under the guidance of Ray Kroc, filed for a trademark on a new logo—an overlapping, double-arched "M" symbol. But before the double arches, McDonald's used a single arch for the architecture of their buildings. Although the "Golden Arches" logo appeared in various forms, the present version was not used until November 18, 1968, when the company was granted a U.S. trademark.

The present corporation credits its founding to franchised businessman Ray Kroc on April 15, 1955.{{Cite book |last1=Wagner III |first1=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DaQJEAAAQBAJ&dq=McDonald%27s+%22Drive-In+Restaurant+Services%22&pg=PT455 |title=Organizational Behavior: Securing Competitive Advantage |last2=Hollenbeck |first2=John R. |publisher=Routledge |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-000-33490-6 |language=en}}{{additional citation needed|date=July 2024}} This was the ninth opened McDonald's restaurant overall, although this location was destroyed and rebuilt in 1984.{{Clarify|reason=This refers to a restaurant or building not mentioned in the previous sentences.|date=April 2022}} Kroc was recorded as being an aggressive business partner, driving the McDonald brothers out of the industry.{{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Andrew F. |title=Eating History: 30 Turning Points in the Making of American Cuisine |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-231-14092-8 |location=New York |page=224 |language=en}}

Kroc and the McDonald brothers fought for control of the business, as documented in Kroc's autobiography. In 1961, he purchased the McDonald brothers' equity in the company and began the company's worldwide reach.{{cite web|url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/197544|title=Ray Kroc|date=October 9, 2008|website=Entrepreneur|language=en|access-date=May 29, 2019|archive-date=December 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217144319/https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/197544|url-status=live}} The sale cost Kroc $2.7 million, a huge sum during that time. The San Bernardino restaurant was eventually torn down in 1971, and the site was sold to the Juan Pollo chain in 1998. This area serves as headquarters for the Juan Pollo chain, and a McDonald's and Route 66 museum.{{cite web |title=McDonalds Museum |url=http://juanpollo.com/route-66-attractions/mcdonalds-museum/ |publisher=Juan Pollo |access-date=May 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310011311/http://juanpollo.com/route-66-attractions/mcdonalds-museum/ |archive-date=March 10, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Farley |title=California's unofficial McDonald's museum is a fast food fever dream |url=https://www.sfgate.com/la/article/first-mcdonalds-unofficial-museum-18448365.php |work=sfgate.com |date=October 27, 2023 |access-date=October 27, 2023 |archive-date=October 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027214219/https://www.sfgate.com/la/article/first-mcdonalds-unofficial-museum-18448365.php |url-status=live }} With the expansion of McDonald's into many international markets, the company has become a symbol of globalization and the spread of the American way of life.{{Cite book |last=Kincheloe |first=Joe L. |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/47140812 |title=The sign of the burger: McDonald's and the culture of power |date=2002 |publisher=Temple University Press |isbn=1-56639-931-9 |oclc=47140812 |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204142322/https://search.worldcat.org/title/47140812 |url-status=live }} Its prominence has made it a frequent topic of public debates about obesity, corporate ethics, and consumer responsibility.

{{Main|List of McDonald's products}}

File:HK Kln Bay Telford Plaza McDonalds Restaurant McSPICY Chicken Filet French fries Nov-2014 Love mark sign n coke.jpg, a soft drink, McSpicy Chicken Fillet, and tomato ketchup packet]]

McDonald's predominantly sells hamburgers, various types of chicken, chicken sandwiches, French fries, soft drinks, shakes, breakfast items, and desserts. In most markets, McDonald's offers salads and vegetarian items, wraps and other localized fare. On a seasonal basis, McDonald's offers the McRib sandwich. Some speculate the seasonality of the McRib adds to its appeal.{{cite news |url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2011/07/23/fanatics-preach-fast-food-evangelism/ |publisher=Fox News Channel |title=Fanatics Preach Fast Food Evangelism |date=July 23, 2011 |access-date=August 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328212559/http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2011/07/23/fanatics-preach-fast-food-evangelism/ |archive-date=March 28, 2012 |url-status=dead }} During March of each year, McDonald's offers a Shamrock Shake to honor Saint Patrick's Day.{{Cite web |last=Dand |first=Khyati |date=January 10, 2022 |title=This Is The Exact Date McDonald's Shamrock Shake Returns In 2022 |url=https://www.mashed.com/729005/this-might-be-the-exact-date-mcdonalds-shamrock-shake-returns-in-2022/ |access-date=September 5, 2022 |website=Mashed.com |language=en-US |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831153350/https://www.mashed.com/729005/this-might-be-the-exact-date-mcdonalds-shamrock-shake-returns-in-2022/ |url-status=live }}

In addition, the chain also sells some items within the United States on a regional basis; for example, the Hatch Green Chile Double Cheeseburger, which is topped with New Mexico green chile, is only available in the southwestern state of New Mexico.{{cite web |title=Cheeseburger Green Chile Double |url=https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/product/green-chili-double-cheeseburger.html |website=McDonalds |access-date=March 10, 2022 |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310075445/https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/product/green-chili-double-cheeseburger.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Michelle |title=10 Awesome McDonald's Foods You Can Only Get In America |url=https://www.thetravel.com/awesome-mcdonalds-foods-you-can-only-get-in-america/ |website=The Travler |date=July 4, 2019 |access-date=March 10, 2022 |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410064021/https://www.thetravel.com/awesome-mcdonalds-foods-you-can-only-get-in-america/ |url-status=live }}

Products are offered as either "dine-in" (where the customer opts to eat in the restaurant) or "take-out" (where the customer opts to take the food off the premises). "Dine-in" meals are provided on a plastic tray with a paper insert on the floor of the tray. "Take-out" meals are usually delivered with the contents enclosed in a distinctive McDonald's-branded brown paper bag. In both cases, the individual items are wrapped or boxed as appropriate.

Since Steve Easterbrook became CEO of the company in 2015, McDonald's has streamlined the menu which in the United States contained nearly 200 items. The company has looked to introduce healthier options and removed high-fructose corn syrup from hamburger buns. The company has removed artificial preservatives from Chicken McNuggets,{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/business/21715704-it-may-soon-be-surpassed-starbucks-mcdonalds-going-healthier-fare-and-greater|title=McDonald's is going for healthier fare and greater digitisation|date=January 28, 2017|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=February 5, 2017|issn=0013-0613|archive-date=February 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204205033/http://www.economist.com/news/business/21715704-it-may-soon-be-surpassed-starbucks-mcdonalds-going-healthier-fare-and-greater|url-status=live}} replacing chicken skin, safflower oil and citric acid found in Chicken McNuggets with pea starch, rice starch, and powdered lemon juice.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mcdonalds-antibiotics-idUSKCN10C2PV|title=McDonald's to remove corn syrup from buns, curbs antibiotics in chicken|date=August 1, 2016|work=Reuters|access-date=September 4, 2017|archive-date=December 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217105548/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mcdonalds-antibiotics-idUSKCN10C2PV|url-status=live}}

In September 2018, McDonald's USA announced that they no longer use artificial preservatives, flavors and colors entirely from seven classic burgers sold in the U.S., including the hamburger, cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, McDouble, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, double Quarter Pounder with Cheese and the Big Mac.{{Cite news|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2018/09/28/mcdonalds-says-classic-burgers-no-longer-have-artificial-ingredients|title=McDonald's says classic burgers no longer have artificial ingredients|date=September 28, 2018|work=Free Malaysia Today|access-date=October 1, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=October 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021140855/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2018/09/28/mcdonalds-says-classic-burgers-no-longer-have-artificial-ingredients/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mcdonald-removing-artificial-preservatives-7-194333824.html|title=McDonald's Removing Artificial Preservatives From 7 Classic Burgers|access-date=October 1, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026075938/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mcdonald-removing-artificial-preservatives-7-194333824.html|url-status=live}} Nevertheless, the pickles will still be made with an artificial preservative, although customers can choose to opt out of getting pickles with their burgers.{{Cite news|title=McDonald's says classic burgers no longer have artificial ingredients|language=en|work=AFP.com|url=https://www.afp.com/en/news/205/mcdonalds-says-classic-burgers-no-longer-have-artificial-ingredients-doc-19h75s1|url-status=dead|access-date=October 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928013237/https://www.afp.com/en/news/205/mcdonalds-says-classic-burgers-no-longer-have-artificial-ingredients-doc-19h75s1|archive-date=September 28, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/mcdonalds-in-the-us-makes-move-to-ditch-artificial-preservatives-colours-and-flavours/news-story/a7ecc7fc83c02471982560ac40082e50|title=McDonald's makes move to ditch artificial preservatives, colours and flavours|work=NewsComAu|access-date=October 1, 2018|archive-date=December 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217104415/https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/mcdonalds-in-the-us-makes-move-to-ditch-artificial-preservatives-colours-and-flavours/news-story/a7ecc7fc83c02471982560ac40082e50|url-status=live}}

In November 2020, McDonald's announced McPlant, a plant-based burger, along with plans to develop additional meat alternative menu items that extend to chicken substitutes and breakfast sandwiches.{{cite news|last=Garcia|first=Tonya|title=McDonald's to launch its own plant-based burger, the McPlant, after Beyond Meat test|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mcdonalds-to-launch-its-own-plant-based-burger-the-mcplant-after-beyond-meat-test-11604949575|access-date=November 9, 2020|website=MarketWatch|language=en-US|archive-date=December 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217104647/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mcdonalds-to-launch-its-own-plant-based-burger-the-mcplant-after-beyond-meat-test-11604949575|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Sozzi |first=Brian |title=McDonald's unveils its own meatless burger McPlant, a year after Beyond Meat test |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/mc-donalds-unveils-the-mc-plant-a-year-after-beyond-meat-test-164401725.html|access-date=November 12, 2020 |work=www.yahoo.com |publisher=Yahoo Finance |date=November 9, 2020 |archive-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216130530/https://www.yahoo.com/now/mc-donalds-unveils-the-mc-plant-a-year-after-beyond-meat-test-164401725.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAG-iEBbwhyv-r5QSJks1sQRc-LpfUfL0kmFIKgk49oWkeOJHfb945o5JqYuUYmYppqlBBKLu9sLzcrDMYwXxcoLjRyTStPqeXifpr35rDLUGCFnlmU2LmT8gTy5Tr5fZR8qzc3E9BlMtze63K8RxnnnyFStwaI3wliPChiEy9kd9 |url-status=live }} This announcement came after the successful testing of Beyond Meat plant based meat substitutes. In late 2022, McDonald's announced the addition of the Double McPlant at all restaurants in the United Kingdom and Ireland starting January 4 due to the success of the McPlant.{{Cite web |last1=Pochin |first1=Courtney |last2=Gibbons |first2=Lottie |date=December 29, 2022 |title=McDonald's announces menu change for 2023 with new burger |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/mcdonalds-announces-menu-change-2023-25853817 |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=Liverpool Echo |language=en |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116100833/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/mcdonalds-announces-menu-change-2023-25853817 |url-status=live }} In 2024, select McDonald's in the UK were testing vegan ice cream called Choco Scoop and Strawberry Scoop and receiving positive reviews.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-13 |title=McDonald's Is Releasing A New Type Of Ice Cream & Fans Are Impressed |url=https://www.delish.com/food-news/a61100359/mcdonalds-vegan-ice-cream/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Delish |language=en-US}}

The company often introduces items temporarily or brings them back after long absences.{{Cite web |last=Valinsky |first=Jordan |date=January 10, 2024 |title=McDonald's is bringing back a fan favorite after four years {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/10/food/mcdonalds-double-big-mac/index.html |access-date=January 12, 2024 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125144720/https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/10/food/mcdonalds-double-big-mac/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Double Big Mac comes to McDonald's this month: Here's what's on the limited-time menu item |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2024/01/10/mcdonalds-double-big-mac/72175369007/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112190923/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2024/01/10/mcdonalds-double-big-mac/72175369007/ |url-status=live }}

{{See also|International availability of McDonald's products}}

File:Croque McDo.jpg

McDonald's Menu is customized to reflect consumer tastes in their respective countries. Restaurants in several countries, particularly in Asia, serve soup. This local deviation from the standard menu is a characteristic for which the chain is particularly known and one which is employed either to abide by regional food taboos (such as the religious prohibition of beef consumption in India) or to make available foods with which the regional market is more familiar (such as the sale of McRice in Indonesia, or Ebi (prawn) Burger in Singapore and Japan). McDonald's restaurants in China include fried buns and soybean milk on their breakfast menus.{{Cite book |last1=Marquis |first1=Christopher |url= |title=Mao and markets the communist roots of Chinese enterprise |last2=Qiao |first2=Kunyuan |date=2022 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-26883-6 |location=New Haven |pages=241 |oclc=1348572572 |author-link=Christopher Marquis}}

In Germany and some other Western European countries, McDonald's sells beer. In New Zealand, until 2020, McDonald's sold meat pies after local affiliate McDonald's New Zealand partially relaunched the Georgie Pie fast food chain it bought out in 1996.{{cite news|title=McDonald's takes Georgie Pie nationwide|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9229767/McDonalds-takes-Georgie-Pie-nationwide|access-date=April 13, 2018|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=October 1, 2013|language=en|archive-date=December 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217105454/http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9229767/McDonalds-takes-Georgie-Pie-nationwide|url-status=live}} In Greece, the signature hamburger, Big Mac, is changed by adding Tzatziki sauce and packaging in a pita.{{Cite book|last1=Khan|first1=Mahmood|url=https://sk.sagepub.com/cases/im-lovin-it-around-the-world-a-case-study-of-mcdonalds-glocalization|title="I'm Lovin' It"—Around the World: A Case Study of McDonald's "Glocalization"|last2=Khan|first2=Maryam|date=2013|publisher=International CHRIE|isbn=978-1-5297-1019-9|location=1 Oliver's Yard, 55 City Road, London, EC1Y 1SP United Kingdom|doi=10.4135/9781529710199|access-date=October 5, 2020|archive-date=October 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013145258/https://sk.sagepub.com/cases/im-lovin-it-around-the-world-a-case-study-of-mcdonalds-glocalization|url-status=live}}

In the United States and Canada, after limited trials on a regional basis, McDonald's began offering in 2015{{cite web |title=The Time is Now: McDonald's Serving All Day Breakfast Nationwide |url=http://news.mcdonalds.com/stories/about-our-food-details/time-now-mcdonalds-serving-all-day-breakfast-nationwide |publisher=McDonald's |access-date=February 28, 2018 |archive-date=March 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301164421/http://news.mcdonalds.com/stories/about-our-food-details/time-now-mcdonalds-serving-all-day-breakfast-nationwide |url-status=dead }} and 2017,{{cite web |title=McDonald's all-day breakfast launches across Canada |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3262672/mcdonalds-all-day-breakfast-launches-across-canada/ |publisher=Global News |access-date=February 28, 2018 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112003629/https://globalnews.ca/news/3262672/mcdonalds-all-day-breakfast-launches-across-canada/ |url-status=live }} respectively, a partial breakfast menu during all hours its restaurants were open. All-day breakfast was phased out from menus at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.{{cite web |date=September 23, 2020 |first=Mike |last=Pomranz |title=Will All-Day Breakfast Ever Return to McDonald's? |url=https://www.foodandwine.com/news/mcdonalds-all-day-breakfast-ending-possible-covid-19 |access-date=March 19, 2022 |website=Food & Wine |language=en |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319042659/https://www.foodandwine.com/news/mcdonalds-all-day-breakfast-ending-possible-covid-19 |url-status=live }}

In partnership with the Central Food Technological Research Institute in India, McDonald's has introduced millet-based buns on September 4, 2024. Three major (Pearl millet, Sorghum, and Finger millet) and two minor (Proso and Paspalum scrobiculatum) millets are used which makes up 22% of the bun. It provides more calcium, iron, and protein in addition to a small amount of complex carbs to aid in satiety more quickly.{{Cite web |last=Joshi |first=Shiv |date=2024-09-04 |title=McDonald's partners with Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) for developing nutritional products |url=https://www.indiaretailing.com/2024/09/04/mcdonalds-partners-with-central-food-technological-research-institute-cftri-for-developing-nutritional-products/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=India Retailing |language=English}}

There are over 36,000 McDonald's restaurants globally. Over a third of these (14,146 restaurants) are in the United States alone. The second highest number is in Japan, with 2,975 restaurants, followed by China, with 2,700. These three countries make up the majority of global McDonald's stores.

File:McDonalds in Freeport, ME outside.jpg.]]

In the United States, most standalone McDonald's restaurants offer both counter service and drive-through service, with indoor and sometimes outdoor seating.{{Cite book|title=Information Strategy Design and Practices|last=Mohapatra|first=Sanjay|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|year=2012|isbn=978-1-4614-2427-7|location=Google Books|page=301}} Drive-Thru, Auto-Mac, Pay and Drive, or "McDrive" as it is known in many countries, often has separate stations for placing, paying for, and picking up orders while the customer remains in their vehicle; it was first introduced in Sierra Vista, Arizona in 1975,{{cite web |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/arizona/2016/08/29/mcdonalds-first-drive-through-sierra-vista-arizona/88009974/ |title=AZ Central — You won't believe where McDonald's opened its first drive-thru |last=Craven |first=Scott |date=August 29, 2016 |format=News Article |language=en |access-date=December 11, 2018 |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419000233/https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/arizona/2016/08/29/mcdonalds-first-drive-through-sierra-vista-arizona/88009974/ |url-status=live }} following the lead of other fast-food chains. The first such restaurant in Britain opened at Fallowfield, Manchester, in 1986.{{cite web|url=http://www.caterersearch.com/Companies/33902/mcdonalds-restaurants-ltd.html |title=McDonald's Restaurants |publisher=Caterersearch.com |access-date=July 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716122800/http://www.caterersearch.com/Companies/33902/mcdonalds-restaurants-ltd.html |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }}

In 1994, McDonald's attempted Hearth Express, a prototype specializing in homestyle takeout meals. Among the fare offered were meatloaf, fried chicken, and baked ham. This experiment started with a single location in Darien, Illinois but closed in only one year.{{cite web|url=https://www.supermarketnews.com/archive/hearth-express-closed|title=Hearth Express Closed|date=July 31, 1995|website=Supermarket News|access-date=August 11, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028023242/https://www.supermarketnews.com/archive/hearth-express-closed|url-status=live}}

In some countries, McDrive locations near highways offer no counter service or seating. In contrast, locations in high-density city neighborhoods often omit drive-through service.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefranchisemall.com/franchises/compare/10357,13796-mcdonalds_vs_newks.htm|title=McDonald's vs Newk's Franchise Cost Comparison and Analysis|publisher=thefranchisemall.com|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021070921/http://www.thefranchisemall.com/franchises/compare/10357,13796-mcdonalds_vs_newks.htm|url-status=live}} There are also a few locations, mostly in downtown districts, that offer a "Walk-Thru" service in place of Drive-Thru.{{cite web|url=http://www.teenvogue.com/story/mcdonalds-walk-thru|title=This McDonald's has a "Walk-Thru"|last=Duca|first=Lauren|website=Teen Vogue|date=April 10, 2016|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=May 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515023203/http://www.teenvogue.com/story/mcdonalds-walk-thru|url-status=live}}

{{Main|McCafé}}

McCafé is a café-style accompaniment to McDonald's restaurants. The concept was created by McDonald's Australia, starting with Melbourne in 1993.{{cite web|url=https://mcdonalds.com.au/about-maccas/maccas-story|title=McDonald's Australia|publisher=mcdonalds.com.au|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=December 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217134754/https://mcdonalds.com.au/about-maccas/maccas-story|url-status=live}}

From 2015 to 2016, McDonald's tried a more flexible burger service and restaurant concept based on other restaurants such as Shake Shack and Grill'd. It was rolled out for the first time in Australia in early 2015 and expanded to China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Arabia, and New Zealand, with ongoing trials in the US market. In dedicated "Create Your Taste" (CYT) kiosks, customers could choose all ingredients, including the type of bun and meat, along with optional extras. CYT food was served to the table on wooden boards, fries in wire baskets, and salads in china bowls with metal cutlery at a higher price. In November 2016, Create Your Taste was replaced by a "Signature Crafted Recipes" program designed to be more efficient and less expensive.{{cite web|last=Kieler|first=Ashlee|title=McDonald's Ends 'Create Your Taste' Customized Burger Program|url=https://consumerist.com/2016/11/03/mcdonalds-ends-create-your-taste-customized-burger-program/|website=Consumerist|date=November 3, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2016|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108113850/https://consumerreports.org/eu-notice|url-status=live}}

{{Main|PlayPlace}}

File:McDonald's with Prominent Playland.JPG, California with a Playplace designed to promote a family-friendly image]]

McDonald's playgrounds are called PlayPlaces. Some McDonald's in suburban areas and certain cities feature large indoor or outdoor playgrounds. The first PlayPlace with the familiar crawl-tube design with ball pits and slides was introduced in 1987 in the US, with many more being constructed soon after.{{citation needed|date= November 2018}}

McDonald's Next uses open-concept design and offers "Create Your Taste" digital ordering. The concept store also offers free mobile device charging and table service after 6:00 pm. The first store opened in Hong Kong in December 2015.{{cite web|title=Big Mac with a side of quinoa? Inside the world's first McDonald's Next|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/11/foodanddrink/hong-kong-mcdonalds-next/|work=CNN|date=January 11, 2016|access-date=August 9, 2016|archive-date=August 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821084751/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/11/foodanddrink/hong-kong-mcdonalds-next/|url-status=live}}

Some locations are connected to gas stations and convenience stores,{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14996359.html |title=McDonald's and BP test combined operations. (McDonald's Restaurants; BP Oil Co.) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118024929/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14996359.html |archive-date=January 18, 2012 }} while others called McExpress have limited seating or menu or may be located in a shopping mall. Other McDonald's are located in Walmart stores. McStop is a location targeted at truckers and travelers who may have services found at truck stops.{{cite news|date=August 16, 1984|title=McDonald's serves up 'MCSTOP' – Its restaurant for big crowds|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB3604178F30F7B&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711202642/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB3604178F30F7B&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|archive-date=July 11, 2012}}

In Sweden, Happy Meal boxes can be used as goggles,{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/tech/high-tech-happy-meals-fast-food-chains-turn-to-143931965.html |title=Restaurants going high tech |date=June 14, 2016 |website=Yahoo Tech |access-date=June 14, 2016 |archive-date=June 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615164454/https://www.yahoo.com/tech/high-tech-happy-meals-fast-food-chains-turn-to-143931965.html |url-status=live }} with the game Slope Stars. In the Netherlands, McDonald's has introduced McTrax that doubles as a recording studio; it reacts to touch. They can create their own beats with a synth and tweak sounds with special effects.

On the river Elbe in Hamburg, Germany, is the world's only "McBoat," a float-through service (similar to drive-through) for people on the river.{{cite web|date=October 13, 2021|first=Dave|last=Quinn|title=McDonald's Has a Riverside Restaurant with a Float-Thru Window|url=https://people.com/food/mcdonalds-has-a-riverside-restaurant-with-a-float-thru-window/|access-date=October 14, 2021|website=people.com|language=en|archive-date=October 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013215823/https://people.com/food/mcdonalds-has-a-riverside-restaurant-with-a-float-thru-window/|url-status=live}}

File:A modern McDonald's restaurant in Franklin, North Carolina.jpg, in 2024; it is an example of the "new" look of American McDonald's restaurants.]]

In 2006, McDonald's introduced its "Forever Young" brand by redesigning all of its restaurants, the first significant redesign since the 1970s.{{cite web |url=http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/invest/extra/P150732.asp?GT1=8180 |title=McDonald's wants a digital-age makeover |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923173412/http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/invest/extra/P150732.asp?GT1=8180 |archive-date=September 23, 2006 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_20/b3984065.htm |title=Mickey D's McMakeover |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524233252/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_20/b3984065.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2006 }} It resembles a coffee shop, with wooden tables, faux-leather chairs, and muted colors; the red was muted to terracotta, the yellow was shifted to golden for a more "sunny" look, and olive and sage green were added. The warmer look has less plastic and more brick and wood, with modern hanging lights for a softer glow. Many restaurants feature free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Other upgrades include double drive-thrus, flat roofs instead of the angled red roofs, and fiberglass instead of wood. Instead of the familiar golden arches, the restaurants feature "semi-swooshes" (half of a golden arch), similar to the Nike swoosh.{{cite news |title=McDonald's revamps store to look more upscale |author=Bruce Horovitz |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2011-05-06-mcdonalds-revamp_n.htm |newspaper=USA Today |date=May 9, 2011 |access-date=June 26, 2012 |archive-date=June 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626040518/http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2011-05-06-mcdonalds-revamp_n.htm |url-status=live }}

McDonald's began banning smoking in 1994 when it restricted customers from smoking within its 1,400 wholly owned restaurants.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/24/us/mcdonald-s-bans-smoking-at-all-the-sites-it-owns.html |title=McDonald's Bans Smoking at All the Sites It Owns |date=February 24, 1994 |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112031442/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/24/us/mcdonald-s-bans-smoking-at-all-the-sites-it-owns.html |url-status=live }}

File:McDonaldsCurbsidePickupMarkhamTownSquare.jpg

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, McDonald's closed most seating and all play areas in its United States restaurants.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/16/business/mcdonalds-seating-coronavirus/index.html|title=McDonald's closes seating at corporate-owned restaurants amid coronavirus outbreak|first=Rob|last=McLean|website=CNN|access-date=July 10, 2020|archive-date=December 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217104752/https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/16/business/mcdonalds-seating-coronavirus/index.html|url-status=live}} It transitioned to drive-thru and curbside orders at locations and online food ordering delivery services.{{cite web |last=Saxena |first=Jaya |date=March 17, 2020 |title=Corporate-Owned McDonald's Will Only Offer Drive-Thru, Takeout, and Delivery Amid Coronavirus Pandemic |url=https://www.eater.com/2020/3/17/21183240/mcdonalds-shuts-down-corporate-owned-dining-rooms-takeout-delivery-covid-19 |access-date=November 12, 2020 |website=Eater |language=en |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112224822/https://www.eater.com/2020/3/17/21183240/mcdonalds-shuts-down-corporate-owned-dining-rooms-takeout-delivery-covid-19 |url-status=live }} In July 2020, for the year's second quarter, McDonald's reported earnings of 66 cents per share. Compared to the same period of last year, it represented a fall of 68%.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-pandemic-squeezes-mcdonalds-profit-11595934000?mod=business_lead_pos4|title=Coronavirus Pandemic Squeezes McDonald's Profit|work=The Wall Street Journal|last=Haddon|first=Heather|date=July 28, 2020|access-date=July 28, 2020|archive-date=December 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217105655/https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-pandemic-squeezes-mcdonalds-profit-11595934000?mod=business_lead_pos4|url-status=live}}

{{Main|CosMc's}}

In July 2023, the company announced it was working towards a new fast-food brand called CosMc's that would be tested at ten sites. The first location was opened in December 2023 in Bolingbrook, Illinois, and the company is working to open nine restaurants in Texas by the end of 2024 as a test. The outlets will have a smaller real-estate footprint than regular McDonald's restaurants and are focused on selling coffee and other drinks to afternoon customers.{{cite news |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |title=McDonald's to open first CosMc's spinoff restaurant this week |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/06/mcdonalds-to-open-first-cosmcs-spinoff-restaurant-this-week.html |access-date=December 7, 2023 |work=CNBC |date=December 6, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207093146/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/06/mcdonalds-to-open-first-cosmcs-spinoff-restaurant-this-week.html |url-status=live }}

The name for the new brand comes from CosMc, a McDonaldland mascot that appeared in advertisements in the late 1980s and early 1990s.{{Cite web |last=Wiener-Bronner |first=Danielle |date=July 27, 2023 |title=McDonald's teases new CosMc's restaurant concept {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/27/business/grimace-mcdonalds-earnings/index.html |access-date=August 14, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814195001/https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/27/business/grimace-mcdonalds-earnings/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=McDonald's has some new restaurants in its plans. Here's what we know about 'CosMc' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2023/08/08/mcdonalds-cosmc-restaurant-concept/70551002007/ |access-date=August 14, 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814195001/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2023/08/08/mcdonalds-cosmc-restaurant-concept/70551002007/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main article|2024 McDonald's E. coli outbreak}}

In October 2024, an E. coli outbreak occurred associated with contaminated Quarter Pounder burgers from McDonald's.{{Cite web |last=McPhillips |first=Deidre |date=2024-10-23 |title=What we know about the McDonald's E. coli outbreak investigation |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/23/health/mcdonalds-e-coli-quarter-pounder-investigation/index.html |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=CNN |language=en}} As of October 30, one person died, 27 were hospitalized, and 90 were sickened across 13 US states.{{Cite web |last=CDC |date=2024-10-30 |title=E. coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders |url=https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/e-coli-O157.html |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=E. coli Infection (Escherichia coli) |language=en-us}}

File:Denton House LI 03 - Order kiosk.jpg for placing orders at the Denton House McDonald's in New Hyde Park on Long Island, New York]]{{See also|McDonald's and unions}}

Since the late 1990s, McDonald's has attempted to replace employees with electronic kiosks that would perform actions such as taking orders and accepting money. In 1999, McDonald's first tested "E-Clerks" in suburban Chicago, Illinois, and Wyoming, Michigan, with the devices being able to "save money on live staffers" and attracting larger purchase amounts than average employees.{{cite news|last=Gibson|first=Richard|title=Want Fries With That? Ask McDonald's New E-Clerks|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=August 12, 1999}}

In 2013, the University of Oxford estimated that in the succeeding decades, there was a 92% probability of food preparation and serving becoming automated in fast food establishments.{{cite news|last=O'Toole|first=James|title=Robots will replace fast-food workers|url=https://money.cnn.com/2014/05/22/technology/innovation/fast-food-robot/|access-date=August 18, 2016|work=CNN|date=May 22, 2014|archive-date=December 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218033055/https://money.cnn.com/2014/05/22/technology/innovation/fast-food-robot/|url-status=live}} By 2016, McDonald's "Create Your Taste" electronic kiosks were seen in some restaurants internationally where customers could custom order meals.{{Cite web |last=Meyersohn |first=Nathaniel |date=2024-09-20 |title=McDonald's touchscreen kiosks were feared as job killers. Instead, something surprising happened {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/20/business/self-service-kiosks-mcdonalds-shake-shack/index.html |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=CNN |language=en}}

In 2017, McDonald's launched an app in the United States that allows customers to skip the ordering line inside or drive through and order online. Many McDonald's locations have special parking spaces for such orders.{{cite web | url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/03/01/technology/mcdonalds-app-delivery/index.html | title=McDonald's to launch ordering app, expand delivery | date=March 2017 | access-date=April 3, 2023 | archive-date=April 3, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403235816/https://money.cnn.com/2017/03/01/technology/mcdonalds-app-delivery/index.html | url-status=live }}

In September 2019, McDonald's purchased an AI-based start-up, Apprente, to replace human servers with voice-based technology in its US drive-throughs.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49664633|title=McDonald's uses AI for ordering at drive-throughs|date=September 11, 2019|website=BBC News|access-date=September 12, 2019|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208224542/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49664633|url-status=live}}

In early 2023, McDonald's opened its first largely automated restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas. The restaurant in question would de-emphasize human contact when ordering, with employees available if there were problems but who would otherwise be absent from the ordering process (along with others working in the kitchen or other back-of-the-house roles). There was no seating in this restaurant.{{Cite web |date=January 31, 2023 |title=New McDonald's in Fort Worth is latest iteration of restaurant industry's shift toward automation |url=https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/fort-worth-mcdonalds-fully-automated/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=Texas Standard |language=en-US |archive-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128235106/https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/fort-worth-mcdonalds-fully-automated/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Salam |first=Erum |date=December 23, 2022 |title=Touchscreens, conveyor belts: McDonald's opens first largely automated location |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/dec/23/mcdonalds-automated-workers-fort-worth-texas |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=January 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122185550/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/dec/23/mcdonalds-automated-workers-fort-worth-texas |url-status=live }}

On August 5, 2013, The Guardian revealed that 90 percent of McDonald's UK workforce are on zero-hour contracts, making it possibly the largest such private sector employer in the country.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/aug/05/mcdonalds-workers-zero-hour-contracts |title=McDonald's ties nine out of 10 workers to zero-hours contracts |last=Neville |first=Simon |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=August 25, 2008 |access-date=August 10, 2013 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127013348/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/aug/05/mcdonalds-workers-zero-hour-contracts |url-status=live }} In April 2017, due to employee strikes, they gave all employees the option of fixed contracts instead.{{cite web|url=https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/help/faq/18372-does-mcdonalds-use-zero-hour-contracts.html|title=FAQS {{!}} McDonald's UK|website=www.mcdonalds.com|language=en-gb|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031005646/https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/help/faq/18372-does-mcdonalds-use-zero-hour-contracts.html|url-status=dead}} A study released by Fast Food Forward conducted by Anzalone Liszt Grove Research showed that approximately 84 percent of all fast food employees working in New York City in April 2013 had been paid less than their legal wages by their employers.Anzalone Liszt Grove Research and Fast Food Foreward. [https://www.scribd.com/doc/141919700/wage-theft-report New York's Hidden Crime Wave: Wage Theft and New York City's Fast Food Workers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529085913/https://www.scribd.com/doc/141919700/Wage-Theft-Report |date=May 29, 2016 }}

From 2007 to 2011, fast food workers in the U.S. drew an average of $7 billion of public assistance annually resulting from receiving low wages.Maclay, Kathleen. [https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095926/http://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/publiccosts/fast_food_poverty_wages.pdf "Fast Food, Poverty Wages: The Public Cost of Low-wage jobs in the Fast Food Industry"]. University of California Labor Center October 15, 2013.

Archived from [https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/pdf/2013/fast_food_poverty_wages.pdf the original] The McResource website advised employees to break their food into smaller pieces to feel fuller, seek refunds for unopened holiday purchases, sell possessions online for quick cash, and "quit complaining" as "stress hormone levels rise by 15 percent after ten minutes of complaining."Susanna Kim (November 21, 2013). [https://abcnews.go.com/Business/mcdonalds-defends-employee-tips-deemed-offensive-clueless-advocacy/story?id=20954354 McDonald's Defends Telling Workers to 'Quit Complaining' to Reduce Stress] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024316/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/mcdonalds-defends-employee-tips-deemed-offensive-clueless-advocacy/story?id=20954354 |date=November 12, 2020 }}. ABC News. Retrieved November 21, 2013. In December 2013, McDonald's shut down the McResource website amidst negative publicity and criticism. McDonald's plans to continue an internal telephone help line through which its employees can obtain advice on work and life problems.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press |title=McDonald's Closes Employee Website Amid Criticism |url=http://dailydigest.com/18949/mcdonalds-closes-employee-website-amid-criticism/ |publisher=DailyDigest |access-date=December 26, 2013 |date=December 26, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228213835/http://dailydigest.com/18949/mcdonalds-closes-employee-website-amid-criticism/ |archive-date=December 28, 2013 }}

The Roosevelt Institute, a liberal think tank, accuses some McDonald's restaurants of actually paying less than the minimum wage to entry positions due to "rampant" wage theft.Goldberg, Harmony, [http://www.salon.com/2014/04/06/how_mcdonalds_gets_away_with_rampant_wage_theft_partner/ "How McDonald's gets away with rampant wage theft"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523054703/http://www.salon.com/2014/04/06/how_mcdonalds_gets_away_with_rampant_wage_theft_partner/ |date=May 23, 2015 }}, Salon, April 6, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2015. In South Korea, McDonald's pays part-time employees $5.50 an hour and is accused of paying less with arbitrary schedule adjustments and pay delays.{{cite news|last=Tae-hoon|first=Lee|title=McDonald's lures customers with illegal ads on Independence Day|url=http://www.koreaobserver.com/mcdonalds-lures-customers-with-illegal-drive-through-ads-on-koreas-independence-day-44187/|access-date=August 17, 2015|work=The Korea Observer|date=August 16, 2015|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804000114/http://www.koreaobserver.com/mcdonalds-lures-customers-with-illegal-drive-through-ads-on-koreas-independence-day-44187/|url-status=live}} McDonald's former CEO, Steve Easterbrook, earned an annual salary of $1,100,000.Beckerman, Josh. [https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-old-ceo-to-get-3-million-for-consulting-1425419984? "McDonald's New CEO Gets 69% Pay Raise"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718234549/https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-old-ceo-to-get-3-million-for-consulting-1425419984 |date=July 18, 2018 }}, Wall Street Journal, March 3, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2015. In 2015, Easterbrook had a base salary of $1.3 million and received $15.4 million in total compensation.{{Cite web |title=McDonald's CEO's pay jumps to $15.4 million - North Shore |url=https://digitaledition.chicagotribune.com/tribune/article_popover.aspx?guid=d13e8d59-1673-4ef2-86dd-7050613ff9a7 |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=digitaledition.chicagotribune.com}}

{{See also|Fast food worker strikes}}

File:Fast food workers on strike for higher minimum wage and better benefits (26398607316).jpg]]

In September 2017, two British McDonald's stores agreed to a strike over zero-hours contracts for staff. Picket lines were formed around the two stores in Crayford and Cambridge. The strike was supported by then Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mcdonalds-strike-action-uk-pay-working-conditions-zero-hour-contracts-cambridge-crayford-a7927581.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mcdonalds-strike-action-uk-pay-working-conditions-zero-hour-contracts-cambridge-crayford-a7927581.html |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=McDonald's faces strike for first time in UK as workers take action over pay and zero-hour contracts|newspaper=The Independent|date=September 4, 2017|access-date=September 4, 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/sep/04/mcdonalds-workers-strike-cambridge-crayford|title=McDonald's workers to go on strike in Britain for first time|newspaper=The Guardian|date=September 4, 2017|access-date=September 4, 2017|archive-date=December 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221153905/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/sep/04/mcdonalds-workers-strike-cambridge-crayford|url-status=live}}

Workers at the McDonald's franchise at Saint-Barthélémy, Marseille, occupied the restaurant in protest against its planned closure. Employing 77 people, the restaurant is the second-biggest private sector employer in Saint-Barthélémy, which has an unemployment rate of 30 percent.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/01/marseille-fights-stop-mcdonalds-closing-rare-french-support/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/09/01/marseille-fights-stop-mcdonalds-closing-rare-french-support/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Marseille fights to stop McDonald's from closing in rare French support for American fast-food giant|date=September 1, 2019|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=September 3, 2019|last=Chazan|first=David}}{{cbignore}} Lawyers for Kamel Guemari, a shop steward at the franchise, claimed an attempt was made to kill him when a car drove at him in the restaurant car park.{{cite web|url=https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/w/lawyers-claim-attempted-murder-mcdonalds-trade-unionist-france|title=Lawyers claim attempted murder of McDonald's trade unionist in France|date=August 31, 2019|website=Morning Star|access-date=September 3, 2019|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803220430/https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/w/lawyers-claim-attempted-murder-mcdonalds-trade-unionist-france|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=August 31, 2019|title=Marseille: Kamel Guemari porte plainte pour tentative de meurtre|url=http://www.lamarseillaise.fr/marseille/social/78032-marseille-kamel-guemari-porte-plainte-pour-tentative-de-meurtre|access-date=September 3, 2019|website=La Marsaillaise|language=fr|archive-date=September 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903180932/http://www.lamarseillaise.fr/marseille/social/78032-marseille-kamel-guemari-porte-plainte-pour-tentative-de-meurtre|url-status=dead}}

In March 2015, McDonald's workers in 19 U.S. cities filed 28 health and safety complaints with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which allege that low staffing, lack of protective gear, poor training, and pressure to work fast resulted in injuries. The complaints allege that, because of a lack of first aid supplies, workers were told by management to treat burn injuries with condiments such as mayonnaise and mustard.{{Cite news|url=https://www.motherjones.com/food/2015/03/little-mustard-grease-burn/|title=Fast-food chains tell workers to treat burns with mustard, ketchup, and mayo.|work=Mother Jones|access-date=November 14, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111193923/https://www.motherjones.com/food/2015/03/little-mustard-grease-burn/|url-status=live}} The Fight for $15 labor organization aided the workers in filing the complaints.Jana Kasperkevic (March 16, 2015). [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/mar/16/mcdonalds-workers-treat-burns-condiments-osha-complaints McDonald's workers told to treat burns with condiments, survey shows] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108102836/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/mar/16/mcdonalds-workers-treat-burns-condiments-osha-complaints |date=November 8, 2020 }}. The Guardian. Retrieved March 17, 2015.

McDonald's has been criticized for using factory farmed fast growing chicken breeds in their supply chain.{{Cite web |date=2018-08-24 |title=McDonald's condemned for using chickens that suffer heart failure |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mcdonald-s-chickens-mcnuggets-salad-welfare-breed-humane-league-a8506381.html |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=The Independent |language=en}} These breeds are more likely to suffer from welfare issues such as broken or fractured bones, leg deformities and heart failure.{{Cite journal |last1=Shim |first1=M.Y. |last2=Karnuah |first2=A.B. |last3=Mitchell |first3=A.D. |last4=Anthony |first4=N.B. |last5=Pesti |first5=G.M. |last6=Aggrey |first6=S.E. |date=2012-08-01 |title=The effects of growth rate on leg morphology and tibia breaking strength, mineral density, mineral content, and bone ash in broilers |journal=Poultry Science |language=en |volume=91 |issue=8 |pages=1790–1795 |doi=10.3382/ps.2011-01968|pmid=22802169 |s2cid=20448775 }}{{Cite journal |last1=Nain |first1=S. |last2=Ling |first2=B. |last3=Bandy |first3=B. |last4=Alcorn |first4=J. |last5=Wojnarowicz |first5=C. |last6=Laarveld |first6=B. |last7=Olkowski |first7=A. A. |date=2008-08-14 |title=The role of oxidative stress in the development of congestive heart failure in a chicken genotype selected for rapid growth |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03079450802179850 |journal=Avian Pathology |language=en |volume=37 |issue=4 |pages=367–373 |doi=10.1080/03079450802179850 |pmid=18622851 |issn=0307-9457}}

In 2014, McDonald's pledged to stop using eggs from battery cage facilities in restaurants in Australia by 2017.{{Cite web |title=People power: YOU DID IT! |url=https://animalsaustralia.org/our-work/factory-farming/mcdonalds-to-dump-cage-eggs/ |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Animals Australia |language=en-US}} By January 2018, McDonald's announced they had succeeded in meeting their goal.{{Cite web |date=2018-01-24 |title=McDonald's Australia meets cage-free egg target {{!}} Australian Food News |url=https://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2018/01/24/mcdonalds-australia-meets-cage-free-egg-target.html |access-date=2024-09-08 |language=en-AU}}

In 2015, McDonald's pledged to eliminate caged eggs in restaurants in the United States by the end of 2025, which they completed nearly two years ahead of schedule in February 2024.{{Cite web |title=McDonald's Achieves Goal of Sourcing 100% Cage-Free Eggs in the U.S. |url=https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-stories/article/mcdonalds-achieves-goal-sourcing-100cagefree-eggs-us.html |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=www.mcdonalds.com |language=en}}

Since McDonald's purchases over 2 billion eggs per year, which accounts for about 4 percent of eggs produced in the United States, the switch to cage-free eggs is expected to have a major impact on the egg industry. It is part of a general trend toward cage-free eggs driven by consumer concern over the harsh living conditions of hens.{{cite web | url=https://news.vice.com/article/mcdonalds-is-switching-to-cage-free-eggs-at-a-delicate-moment-for-the-poultry-industry | title=McDonald's Is Switching to Cage-Free Eggs at a Delicate Moment for the Poultry Industry | publisher=VICE News | date=September 10, 2015 | access-date=August 4, 2016 | author=Owen, Tess | archive-date=November 8, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108114631/https://www.vice.com/en/article/kz9byn/mcdonalds-is-switching-to-cage-free-eggs-at-a-delicate-moment-for-the-poultry-industry | url-status=live }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/2016/01/the-insanely-complicated-logistics-of-cage-free-eggs-for-all/ | title=The Insanely Complicated Logistics of Cage-Free Eggs for All | magazine=Wired | access-date=August 4, 2016 | archive-date=December 6, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206094613/https://www.wired.com/2016/01/the-insanely-complicated-logistics-of-cage-free-eggs-for-all/ | url-status=live }}

A 2016 study by The Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply reported that cage-free systems introduced higher hen mortality rates.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/17/business/eggs-that-clear-the-cages-but-maybe-not-the-conscience.html |title=Eggs That Clear the Cages, but Maybe Not the Conscience |work=The New York Times |date=July 16, 2016 |access-date=August 4, 2016 |author=Gelles, David |archive-date=July 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722092649/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/17/business/eggs-that-clear-the-cages-but-maybe-not-the-conscience.html?_r=0 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |author=Kesmodel, David |date=March 18, 2015 |title=Cage-Free Hens Study Finds Little Difference in Egg Quality |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/cage-free-hens-study-finds-little-difference-in-egg-quality-1426694462 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804054706/https://www.wsj.com/articles/cage-free-hens-study-finds-little-difference-in-egg-quality-1426694462 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |access-date=August 4, 2016 |work=The Wall Street Journal}} A 2021 study found that mortality in cage-free systems decreases over time as management experience increases, and that mortality in cage-free flocks is not inherently higher than those housed in battery cage systems.{{Cite web |title=New study finds cage-free egg-laying hen mortality declines over time |url=https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/577117 |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=EurekAlert! |language=en}}

In 2012, McDonald's pledged to stop sourcing pork from facilities that use gestation crates in the U.S.{{cite news |author=Strom, Stephanie |date=February 13, 2012 |title=McDonald's Set to Phase Out Suppliers' Use of Sow Crates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/14/business/mcdonalds-vows-to-help-end-use-of-sow-crates.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231120129/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/14/business/mcdonalds-vows-to-help-end-use-of-sow-crates.html |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |access-date=August 4, 2016 |work=The New York Times}} By 2023, they reported that they had achieved 96% of this goal.{{Cite web |title=Animal Health & Welfare |url=https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-purpose-and-impact/food-quality-and-sourcing/animal-health-and-welfare.html |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=www.mcdonalds.com |language=en}}

McDonald's has been the subject of animal rights activism. In 2021, Animal Rising blockaded four UK distribution centers using bamboo towers, leading to food shortages at restaurants.{{Cite web |last1=Channon |first1=Max |last2=PA |first2=Helen Williams and John Besley |date=2021-05-22 |title=Ongoing protests cause McDonald's food shortages |url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/uk-world-news/mcdonalds-food-shortages-due-ongoing-5445803 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Hull Live |language=en}} They cited "suffering of animals" in the McDonald's supply chain as a motivating factor.{{Cite web |last=McSweeney |first=Eoin |date=2021-05-22 |title=Animal and climate activists blockade McDonald's distribution centers across England {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/22/uk/animal-rebellion-mcdonalds-gbr-intl-scli |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=CNN |language=en}}

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McDonald's restaurants are in 120 countries and territories and serve 68 million customers daily.[http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company.html McDonald's – The Leading Global Food Service Retailer :: AboutMcDonalds.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820151200/http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company.html |date=August 20, 2016 }}. Retrieved May 8, 2008{{cite news |date=January 24, 2012 |title=McDonald's Momentum Delivers Another Year of Strong Results for 2011 |work=Yahoo Finance |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/McDonald-Momentum-Delivers-prnews-2702110553.html |url-status=dead |access-date=January 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318210222/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/McDonald-Momentum-Delivers-prnews-2702110553.html |archive-date=March 18, 2012}} There are 37,855 restaurants worldwide, employing more than 210,000 people as of the end of 2018. There are a total of 2,770 company-owned locations and 35,085 franchised locations, which includes 21,685 locations franchised to conventional franchisees, 7,225 locations licensed to developmental licensees, and 6,175 locations licensed to foreign affiliates.

Focusing on its core brand, McDonald's began divesting itself of other chains it had acquired during the 1990s. The company owned a majority stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill until October 2006, when McDonald's fully divested from Chipotle through a stock exchange.{{cite news |last=Brand |first=Rachel |date=December 23, 2006 |title=Chipotle founder had big dreams |newspaper=Rocky Mountain News |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2006/Dec/23/chipotle-founder-had-big-dreams |url-status=dead |access-date=April 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708033033/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2006/dec/23/chipotle-founder-had-big-dreams/ |archive-date=July 8, 2009}}{{cite news |date=July 25, 2006 |title=McDonald's sets October deadline to sell Chipotle stock |work=Denver Business Journal |url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2006/07/24/daily20.html |access-date=August 10, 2009 |archive-date=July 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723225236/http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2006/07/24/daily20.html |url-status=live }} Until December 2003, it owned Donatos Pizza, and it owned a small share of Aroma Café, from 1999 to 2001. On August 27, 2007, McDonald's sold Boston Market to Sun Capital Partners.{{cite web |date=August 27, 2007 |title=McDonald's Wraps Up Boston Market Sale |url=http://www.smartmoney.com/bn/ON/index.cfm?story=ON-20070827-000332-1731&hpadref=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928010947/http://www.smartmoney.com/bn/ON/index.cfm?story=ON-20070827-000332-1731&hpadref=1 |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |access-date=August 28, 2007 |publisher=Dow Jones & Company, Inc. News Services}}

McDonald's has increased shareholder dividends for 25 consecutive years,{{cite news |last=Baertlein |first=Lisa |date=September 24, 2009 |title=McDonald's raises cash dividend by 10% |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN2447000720090924 |access-date=August 27, 2010 |archive-date=December 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217104054/https://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN2447000720090924 |url-status=live }} making it one of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats.{{cite news |date=December 23, 2008 |title=List of 2009 Dividend Aristocrats via Seeking Alpha. Retrieved 10/1/2009 |newspaper=Seekingalpha |publisher=Seekingalpha.com |url=http://seekingalpha.com/article/111974-s-p-s-2009-dividend-aristocrats-who-made-the-cut |access-date=August 27, 2010 |archive-date=August 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830032636/http://seekingalpha.com/article/111974-s-p-s-2009-dividend-aristocrats-who-made-the-cut |url-status=live }} The company is ranked 131st on the Fortune 500 of the largest United States corporations by revenue.{{cite web |title=McDonald's |url=http://fortune.com/fortune500/mcdonalds/ |access-date=November 18, 2018 |website=Fortune |language=en-US |archive-date=November 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118093223/http://fortune.com/fortune500/mcdonalds/ |url-status=dead }} In October 2012, its monthly sales fell for the first time in nine years.{{cite web |author=Tiffany Hsu |date=November 9, 2012 |title=McDonald's monthly sales fall for the first time in nine years |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-mcdonalds-sales-20121109,0,2079925.story |access-date=March 9, 2013 |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204142416/https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-nov-09-la-fi-mcdonalds-sales-20121109-story.html |url-status=live }} In 2014, its quarterly sales fell for the first time in seventeen years, when its sales dropped for the entirety of 1997.{{cite web |last=Wong |first=Venessa |date=January 7, 2015 |title=McDonald's New Turnaround Plan Is So 1990s |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-07/mcdonalds-new-turnaround-plan-is-so-1990s |website=www.bloomberg.com |access-date=October 28, 2019 |archive-date=August 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829012049/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-07/mcdonalds-new-turnaround-plan-is-so-1990s |url-status=live }}

In the United States, it is reported that drive-throughs account for 70 percent of sales.{{cite news |last=Baertlein |first=Lisa |date=March 14, 2017 |title=McDonald's, late to mobile ordering, seeks to avoid pitfalls |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mcdonalds-mobile-idUSKBN16L2RM |access-date=March 15, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112035704/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mcdonalds-mobile-idUSKBN16L2RM |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Patton |first=Leslie |date=November 23, 2015 |title=McDonald's Knows You're Sick of Screw-Ups at Drive-Thru Windows |agency=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-23/mcdonald-s-knows-you-re-sick-of-screw-ups-at-drive-thru-windows |access-date=March 15, 2017 |archive-date=August 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828171456/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-23/mcdonald-s-knows-you-re-sick-of-screw-ups-at-drive-thru-windows |url-status=live }} McDonald's closed down 184 restaurants in the United States in 2015, which was 59 more than what they planned to open.{{cite news |last=Ferdman |first=Roberto A. |date=August 13, 2015 |title=This is a terrible sign for McDonald's |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2015/08/13/mcdonalds-is-shrinking/ |access-date=September 4, 2017 |archive-date=October 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004200934/http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2015/08/13/mcdonalds-is-shrinking/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=June 18, 2015 |title=McDonald's to Cut U.S. Stores for First Time in Decades |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/business/mcdonalds-to-cut-us-stores-for-first-time-in-decades.html |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108143157/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/business/mcdonalds-to-cut-us-stores-for-first-time-in-decades.html |url-status=live }} This move was the first time McDonald's had a net decrease in the number of locations in the United States since 1970.

The McDonald's on-demand delivery concept, which began in 2017 with a partnership with Uber Eats and added DoorDash in 2019 (with select locations adding Grubhub in 2021), accounts for up to 3% of all business as of 2019.{{cite web |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |date=July 16, 2019 |title=McDonald's adds DoorDash as the new delivery partner, ending exclusivity with UberEats |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/16/mcdonalds-adds-doordash-as-partner-ending-exclusivity-with-ubereats.html |website=CNBC |access-date=July 10, 2020 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208090242/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/16/mcdonalds-adds-doordash-as-partner-ending-exclusivity-with-ubereats.html |url-status=live }}

The $100 billion in sales generated by McDonald's company-owned and franchise restaurants in 2019 accounts for almost 4% of the estimated $2.5 trillion global restaurant industry.{{cite web |last=Hottovy |first=RJ |date=August 11, 2020 |title=Value, Access, and Franchisee Health Position McDonald's for Postpandemic Growth |url=https://www.morningstar.com/stocks/xnys/mcd/analysis |access-date=August 18, 2020 |website=Morningstar.com |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802080912/https://www.morningstar.com/stocks/xnys/mcd/analysis |url-status=live }}

File:Ray kroc 1976.jpg joined the chain in 1954 and built it into a global franchise, making it the most successful fast food corporation in the world.]]

The company owns the land on which many of its restaurants are situated, which is valued at an estimated $16 to $18 billion.{{Citation needed|date=February 2018}} The company earns a significant portion of its revenue from rental payments from franchisees. These rent payments rose 26 percent between 2010 and 2015, accounting for one-fifth of the company's total revenue at the end of the period.{{cite news |last1=Lublin |first1=Joann S. |last2=Jargon |first2=Julie |date=October 15, 2015 |title=McDonald's Nears Decision on Real Estate |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-close-to-deciding-whether-to-change-structure-of-u-s-real-estate-1444938945 |access-date=October 22, 2015 |archive-date=December 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217112217/https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-close-to-deciding-whether-to-change-structure-of-u-s-real-estate-1444938945 |url-status=live }} In recent times, there have been calls to spin off the company's U.S. holdings into a potential real estate investment trust, but the company announced at its investor conference on November 10, 2015, that this would not happen. CEO Steve Easterbrook discussed that pursuing the REIT option would pose too large a risk to the company's business model.{{Cite news |last=Jargon |first=Julie |title=McDonald's Won't Spin Off Real Estate Holdings |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-wont-spin-off-real-estate-holdings-1447180384 |access-date=November 11, 2015 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021084259/https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-wont-spin-off-real-estate-holdings-1447180384 |url-status=live }}

The United Kingdom and Ireland business model differs from the U.S. in that fewer than 30 percent of restaurants are franchised, with the majority under the company's ownership. McDonald's trains its franchisees and management at Hamburger University at its Chicago headquarters.{{cite web |title=Hamburger University Campus |url=http://corporate.mcdonalds.com/content/mcd/corporate_careers/training_and_development/hamburger_university/our_faculty.html |access-date=January 18, 2017 |publisher=mcdonalds.com |archive-date=December 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208113635/http://corporate.mcdonalds.com/content/mcd/corporate_careers/training_and_development/hamburger_university/our_faculty.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Our Facility |url=http://corporate.mcdonalds.com/content/mcd/corporate_careers/training_and_development/hamburger_university/our_faculty.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902211714/http://corporate.mcdonalds.com/content/mcd/corporate_careers/training_and_development/hamburger_university/our_faculty.html |archive-date=September 2, 2016 |website=corporate.mcdonalds.com}} In other countries, McDonald's restaurants are operated by joint ventures of McDonald's Corporation and other, local entities or governments.{{cite web |title=McDonald's Business Model and Strategy :: McDonald's |url=http://corporate.mcdonalds.com/content/mcd/our_company/business-model.html |access-date=January 24, 2017 |website=corporate.mcdonalds.com |archive-date=January 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129120334/http://corporate.mcdonalds.com/content/mcd/our_company/business-model.html |url-status=dead }}

According to Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser (2001), nearly one in eight workers in the U.S. have at some time been employed by McDonald's. Employees are encouraged by McDonald's Corp. to maintain their health by singing along to their favorite songs to relieve stress, attending church services to have a lower blood pressure, and taking two vacations annually to reduce the risk for myocardial infarction.{{cite web |last=Eidelson |first=Josh |date=November 19, 2013 |title=McDonald's tells workers to "sing away stress," "chew away cares" and go to church |url=http://www.salon.com/2013/11/19/revealed_mcdonalds_tells_workers_to_sing_away_stress_chew_away_cares_and_go_to_church/ |access-date=August 21, 2014 |work=Salon |quote=These and other tips appear on a "McResource Line" website created by the McDonald's Corp. to advise workers on stress, health and personal finances. Among the tips that appear on the site: "Chewing gum can reduce cortisol levels by 16%"; "At least two vacations a year can cut heart attack risk by 50%"; "Singing along to your favorite songs can lower your blood pressure"; and "People who attend more church services tend to have lower blood pressure." |archive-date=August 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821160257/http://www.salon.com/2013/11/19/revealed_mcdonalds_tells_workers_to_sing_away_stress_chew_away_cares_and_go_to_church/ |url-status=live }} Fast Food Nation states that McDonald's is the largest private operator of playgrounds in the U.S., as well as the single largest purchaser of beef, pork, potatoes, and apples. The selection of meats McDonald's uses varies to some extent based on the host country's culture.{{cite book |last=Schlosser |first=Eric |title=Fast Food Nation |title-link=Fast Food Nation}}

In 2021, the company cut value meals and cheaper items from its menu as part of a focus on higher-priced items.{{Cite news |last=Russ |first=Hilary |date=June 22, 2021 |title=U.S. fast-food chains cut discounts, push pricy meals post-pandemic |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/us-fast-food-chains-cut-discounts-push-pricy-meals-post-pandemic-2021-06-22/ |access-date=April 11, 2022 |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411184647/https://www.reuters.com/business/us-fast-food-chains-cut-discounts-push-pricy-meals-post-pandemic-2021-06-22/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=McDonald's Quietly Removes Happy Meals from Value Menu |url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/fast-food/mcdonalds-quietly-removes-happy-meals-value-menu |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=QSR magazine |date=October 22, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628034522/https://www.qsrmagazine.com/fast-food/mcdonalds-quietly-removes-happy-meals-value-menu |url-status=live }}

On June 13, 2016, McDonald's confirmed plans to move its global headquarters to Chicago's West Loop neighborhood in the Near West Side. The 608,000-square-foot structure opened on June 4, 2018, and was built on the former site of Harpo Productions (where The Oprah Winfrey Show and several other Harpo productions taped).

The McDonald's former headquarters complex, McDonald's Plaza, is in Oak Brook, Illinois. It sits on the site of the former headquarters and stabling area of Paul Butler, the founder of Oak Brook.Steele, Jeffrey. [https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/32461979.html?dids=32461979:32461979&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+29%2C+1998&author=Jeffrey+Steele.+Special+to+the+Tribune.&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=OAK+BROOK+HISTORY+IN+CARING+HANDS+SOCIETY+PRESIDENT+IS+PART+OF+VILLAGE%27S+CHANGING+HERITAGE&pqatl=google Oak Brook history in caring hands society president is part of village's changing heritage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107165012/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/doc/418631457.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Jul%2029%2C%201998&author=Jeffrey%20Steele.%20Special%20to%20the%20Tribune.&pub=Chicago%20Tribune&edition=&startpage=&desc=OAK%20BROOK%20HISTORY%20IN%20CARING%20HANDS%20SOCIETY%20PRESIDENT%20IS%20PART%20OF%20VILLAGE%27S%20CHANGING%20HERITAGE |date=November 7, 2017 }}". Chicago Tribune. July 29, 1998. Page 88. Retrieved September 17, 2009. McDonald's moved into the Oak Brook facility from an office within the Chicago Loop in 1971.Cross, Robert. [https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/648915512.html?dids=648915512:648915512&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jan+09%2C+1972&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Inside+Hamburger+Central&pqatl=google Inside Hamburger Central] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816110318/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/doc/170151070.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jan%2009,%201972&author=&pub=Chicago%20Tribune&edition=&startpage=&desc=Inside%20Hamburger%20Central |date=August 16, 2017 }}". Chicago Tribune. January 9, 1972. G18. Retrieved September 17, 2009.

{{As of|December 2024}}, the board of directors had the following members:{{cite web |title=Board of Directors |url=https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/investors-relations/board-of-directors.html |access-date=February 22, 2021 |website=McDonald's |archive-date=January 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117013524/https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/investors-relations/board-of-directors.html |url-status=dead }}

• Chris Kempczinski; non-executive chairman, president and CEO of McDonald's
• Anthony G. Capuano, CEO of Marriott International
• Kareem Daniel, former chairman of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution
• Lloyd H. Dean, president and CEO of Dignity Health
• Catherine M. Engelbert, commissioner of the Women's National Basketball Association
• Margo Georgiadis, former CEO of Ancestry.com
• Mike Hsu, chairman and CEO of Kimberly-Clark
• John J. Mulligan, executive vice president and COO of Target Corporation
• Jennifer L. Taubert, Executive Vice President and Worldwide Chairman, Innovative Medicine, Johnson & Johnson
• Paul S. Walsh, executive chairman of McLaren Group
• Amy E. Weaver, President and Chief Financial Officer of Salesforce
• Miles D. White, chairman and CEO of Abbott Laboratories

On March 1, 2015, after being chief brand officer of McDonald's and its former head in the UK and northern Europe, Steve Easterbrook became CEO, succeeding Don Thompson, who stepped down on January 28, 2015.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

In November 2019, McDonald's board of directors voted to remove Easterbrook as CEO since he had violated corporate policies on personal conduct by entering into a relationship with a company employee.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-fires-ceo-steve-easterbrook-over-relationship-with-employee-11572816660|title=McDonald's Fires CEO Steve Easterbrook Over Relationship With Employee|first=Heather|last=Haddon|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=November 4, 2019|access-date=July 25, 2022|archive-date=November 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105160859/https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-fires-ceo-steve-easterbrook-over-relationship-with-employee-11572816660|url-status=live}} He was replaced as CEO by Chris Kempczinski, who had been president of McDonald's USA.{{cite news |title=McDonald's CEO steps down after relationship with employee |url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/business/mcdonalds-ceo-steps-down-after-relationship-with-employee/ |access-date=November 3, 2019 |work=Evening Express |date=November 3, 2019 |archive-date=November 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105074524/https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/business/mcdonalds-ceo-steps-down-after-relationship-with-employee/ |url-status=live }}

In August 2022, McDonald's announced significant changes to its board. It said that existing director Sheila Penrose, chair of JLL Inc., would retire and that Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International, executive vice president and worldwide chairman of pharmaceuticals Jennifer Taubert of Johnson & Johnson, and Amy Weaver president and CFO of Salesforce would join. The changes were unrelated to an effort by activist investor Carl Icahn.{{Cite news |last=Hirsch |first=Lauren |date=August 22, 2022 |title=Under Pressure, McDonald's Shakes Up Its Board |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/22/business/mcdonalds-board.html |access-date=August 22, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822133812/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/22/business/mcdonalds-board.html/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Sheila Penrose to leave McDonald's board |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2022/08/22/McDonalds-Sheila-Penrose-Carl-Icahn-board/3991661173134/ |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=UPI |language=en |archive-date=August 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822133341/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2022/08/22/McDonalds-Sheila-Penrose-Carl-Icahn-board/3991661173134/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Sheila Penrose – Awesome |url=https://www.awesomeleaders.org/sheila-penrose/ |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=www.awesomeleaders.org |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818043830/https://www.awesomeleaders.org/sheila-penrose/ |url-status=live }}

{{See also|List of countries with McDonald's restaurants|International availability of McDonald's products}}

File:McDonaldsWorldLocations.svg

File:McDonald's in Subotica, Serbia (2).jpg building in Subotica, Serbia]]

McDonald's has become emblematic of globalization, sometimes referred to as the "McDonaldization" of society. The Economist newspaper uses the "Big Mac Index": the comparison of the cost of a Big Mac in various world currencies can be used to informally judge these currencies' purchasing power parity. Switzerland has the most expensive Big Mac in the world as of July 2015, while the country with the least expensive Big Mac is India{{cite web |date=January 20, 2011 |title=India's 50 most trusted brands |url=http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-indias-50-most-trusted-brands/20110120.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=November 28, 2011 |archive-date=May 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527150055/http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-indias-50-most-trusted-brands/20110120.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=October 7, 2015 |title=The Big Mac index |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/content/big-mac-index |access-date=February 20, 2020 |archive-date=March 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327202218/https://www.economist.com/content/big-mac-index |url-status=live }} (albeit for a Maharaja Mac—the next cheapest Big Mac is Hong Kong).{{cite news |date=July 28, 2011 |title=The Big Mac index – Currency comparisons, to go |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/07/big-mac-index |access-date=July 28, 2011 |archive-date=July 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728165056/https://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/07/big-mac-index |url-status=live }} The northernmost McDonald's restaurant in the world is located in Rovaniemi, Finland (after the restaurant in Murmansk, Russia was closed in 2022),[https://www.dailyo.in/politics/mcdonalds-russia-exit-ukraine-war/story/1/35910.html 'Until we meet again,' McDonald's tells Russia as it exits the country for good] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710200634/https://www.dailyo.in/politics/mcdonalds-russia-exit-ukraine-war/story/1/35910.html |date=July 10, 2022 }} - DailyO however from January 2024 this will change again as McDonald's is opening a new restaurant in Tromsø, Norway.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mcdonalds.com/no/nb-no/om-oss/presserom/artikler/na-kommer-vi-til-nord-norge.html |title=McDonald's satser stort i Norge. – Nå kommer vi til Nord-Norge! |trans-title=McDonald's is betting big in Norway. - Now we come to Northern Norway! |language=Norwegian |publisher=McDonald's |date=August 22, 2023 |access-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-date=November 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108213009/https://www.mcdonalds.com/no/nb-no/om-oss/presserom/artikler/na-kommer-vi-til-nord-norge.html |url-status=live }} And the southernmost in the world is located in Invercargill, New Zealand.[https://www.invercargillholidaypark.com/insights/invercargill-the-worlds-southernmost/ Invercargill: The World's Southernmost...] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324065107/https://www.invercargillholidaypark.com/insights/invercargill-the-worlds-southernmost/ |date=March 24, 2023 }} - Invercargill Holiday Park and Motels{{Primary source inline|date=September 2022}}

Thomas Friedman said that no country with a McDonald's had gone to war with another;{{Cite news |last=Friedman |first=Thomas L. |date=December 8, 1996 |title=Foreign Affairs Big Mac I |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/08/opinion/foreign-affairs-big-mac-i.html |access-date=January 24, 2017 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129115809/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/08/opinion/foreign-affairs-big-mac-i.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=The Lexus and the Olive Tree |url=http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/bookshelf/the-lexus-and-the-olive-tree |access-date=July 23, 2011 |publisher=Thomaslfriedman.com |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720073042/http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/bookshelf/the-lexus-and-the-olive-tree |url-status=live }} however, the "Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention" is incorrect. Exceptions are the 1989 United States invasion of Panama, NATO's bombing of Serbia in 1999, the 2006 Lebanon War, and the 2008 South Ossetia war—McDonald's suspended operations in its corporate-owned stores in Crimea after Russia annexed the region in 2014.{{cite news |title=McDonald's quits Crimea due to fears of trade clash |newspaper=INA Daily News |url=http://inadailynews.com/News/Europe/791/McDonald's-quits-Crimea-due-to-fears-of-trade-clash-791 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112140353/http://www.inadailynews.com/News/Europe/791/McDonald's-quits-Crimea-due-to-fears-of-trade-clash-791 |archive-date=January 12, 2016}} On August 20, 2014, as tensions between the United States and Russia strained over the Russian annexation of Crimea, and the resultant U.S. sanctions, the Russian government temporarily shut down four McDonald's outlets in Moscow, citing sanitary concerns. The company has operated in Russia since 1990 and, in August 2014, had 438 stores across the country.{{cite news |date=August 20, 2014 |title=Russia Shuts 4 McDonald's Restaurants Amid Ukraine Tensions |publisher=Moscow News.Net |url=http://www.moscownews.net/index.php/sid/224938309 |access-date=August 21, 2014 |archive-date=December 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226050436/http://www.moscownews.net/index.php/sid/224938309 |url-status=live }} On August 23, 2014, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich ruled out any government move to ban McDonald's and dismissed the notion that the temporary closures had anything to do with the sanctions.{{cite news |date=August 23, 2014 |title=Russian Deputy PM says McDonalds is not being targeted in response to sanctions |work=Russia Herald |url=http://www.russiaherald.com/index.php/sid/225040623 |access-date=August 23, 2014 |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115605/http://www.russiaherald.com/index.php/sid/225040623 |url-status=live }}

Some observers have suggested that the company should be given credit for increasing the service standard in markets it enters. A group of anthropologists in a study entitled Golden Arches EastStanford University Press, 1998, edited by James L. Watson looked at McDonald's impact on East Asia and Hong Kong, particularly. When it opened in Hong Kong in 1975, McDonald's was the first restaurant to consistently offer clean restrooms, driving customers to demand the same of other restaurants and institutions. McDonald's has partnered with Sinopec, the second largest oil company in the People's Republic of China, as it takes advantage of the country's growing use of personal vehicles by opening numerous drive-thru restaurants.{{cite web |title=McDonald's deal with oil company marries China's new love of fast food, cars |url=http://www.canada.com/topics/finance/story.html?id=e4cdb03e-6e89-4df4-a38b-187283fdeab3&k=65519 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070325130147/http://www.canada.com/topics/finance/story.html?id=e4cdb03e-6e89-4df4-a38b-187283fdeab3&k=65519 |archive-date=March 25, 2007}}

In Beijing, China, McDonald's restaurants are state-owned enterprises operating according to franchise agreements.{{Cite book |last=Li |first=David Daokui |title=China's World View: Demystifying China to Prevent Global Conflict |date=2024 |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |isbn=978-0393292398 |location=New York, NY |pages=114 |author-link=David Daokui Li}} Beijing Capital Agricultural Group owns these franchises.

McDonald's has opened a McDonald's restaurant and McCafé on the underground premises of the French fine arts museum, The Louvre.{{cite news |last=Samuel |first=Henry |date=October 4, 2009 |title=McDonald's restaurants to open at the Louvre |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/6259044/McDonalds-restaurants-to-open-at-the-Louvre.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/6259044/McDonalds-restaurants-to-open-at-the-Louvre.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022}}{{cbignore}}

The company stated it would open vegetarian-only restaurants in India by mid-2013.{{cite news |last1=Gasparro |first1=Annie |last2=Jargon |first2=Julie |date=September 5, 2012 |title=McDonald's to Go Vegetarian in India |page=B7 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal}}{{Update inline|date=September 2022}}

On January 9, 2017, 80% of the franchise rights in mainland China and Hong Kong were sold for US$2.08 billion to a consortium of CITIC Limited (for 32%). Private equity funds managed by CITIC Capital (for 20%) and Carlyle (for 20%), which CITIC Limited and CITIC Capital would form a joint venture to own the stake.{{cite web |date=January 9, 2017 |title=Voluntary Announcement: Acquisition of a Controlling Interest in Mcdonald's Mainland China and Hong Kong Businesses |url=http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/SEHK/2017/0109/LTN20170109129.pdf |access-date=January 13, 2017 |work=CITIC Limited |publisher=Hong Kong Stock Exchange |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116200659/http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/SEHK/2017/0109/LTN20170109129.pdf |archive-date=January 16, 2017 |url-status=live }}

On March 8, 2022, McDonald's temporarily closed their 850 locations in Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine, but will continue to pay the salary for 62,000 employees. Approximately nine percent of global revenue and three percent of operating profit come from Russia and 100 locations in Ukraine.{{cite news |last=Patton |first=Leslie |date=March 8, 2022 |title=McDonald's to Shutter 850 Russia Stores After Backlash |work=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-08/mcdonald-s-to-temporarily-close-its-850-russia-locations |access-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309000914/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-08/mcdonald-s-to-temporarily-close-its-850-russia-locations |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Harris |first=Sophia |date=March 8, 2022 |title=McDonald's, Starbucks, Coke, Pepsi join companies suspending business in Russia |work=CBC News |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |location=Toronto ON |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/mcdonalds-pepsi-boycott-russia-1.6376953 |access-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308183800/https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/mcdonalds-pepsi-boycott-russia-1.6376953 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=March 8, 2022 |title=McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Starbucks halt Russian sales |work=BBC News |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |location=London UK |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60665877 |access-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308183559/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60665877 |url-status=live }}

On May 16, 2022, McDonald's announced that the closures would become permanent and that it was selling all its 850 stores in Russia. Furthermore, 32 years after McDonald's entered the Soviet market, the American giant wants its current business to be "de-Arched," the company plans to retain its trademarks in Russia, meaning the locations would no longer be allowed to use the McDonald's name, logo, or menu. McDonald's also said it would continue to pay its Russian employees until the sale is finalized. The company has more than 60,000 Russian employees.{{Cite news|date=May 16, 2022|title=McDonald's to sell its business in Russia after 30 years|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/may/16/mcdonalds-to-sell-russia-business--invasion-ukraine|work=theguardian|access-date=May 16, 2022|archive-date=May 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516104408/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/may/16/mcdonalds-to-sell-russia-business--invasion-ukraine|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=May 16, 2022 |title=McDonald's to leave Russia for good after 30 years |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61463876 |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516104347/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61463876 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|date=May 16, 2022|title=McDonald's is leaving Russia altogether|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/16/business-food/mcdonalds-russia-exit/index.html|work=cnn News|access-date=May 16, 2022|archive-date=May 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516135203/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/16/business-food/mcdonalds-russia-exit/index.html|url-status=live}}

On June 10, 2022, a Russian McDonald's buyer announced a new logo as an attempt at rebranding. It featured one circle and two lines representing a burger and two french fries.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61727807 | title=Russia's new version of McDonald's unveils logo | date=June 10, 2022 | publisher=BBC News | access-date=June 10, 2022 | archive-date=June 10, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610033415/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61727807 | url-status=live }} The business was rebranded as Vkusno i tochka, which roughly translates to "Tasty – Period."[https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/mcdonalds-russia-reopens-under-new-ownership-renamed-vkusno-tochka-2022-06-12/ Tasty name but no Big Mac: Russia reopens rebranded McDonald's restaurants] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612074218/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/mcdonalds-russia-reopens-under-new-ownership-renamed-vkusno-tochka-2022-06-12/ |date=June 12, 2022 }} Reuters June 12, 2022{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61774475 | title=Russia unveils 'tasty' McDonald's substitute | date=June 12, 2022 | publisher=BBC News | access-date=June 12, 2022 | archive-date=June 12, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612095331/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61774475 | url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=August 20, 2022 |title=Stars Coffee, anyone? Old Starbucks stores reopen in Russia with imitation branding — and menu |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-20/stars-coffee-anyone-starbucks-successor-opening-in-russia/101353230 |access-date=August 23, 2022 |archive-date=August 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823025024/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-20/stars-coffee-anyone-starbucks-successor-opening-in-russia/101353230 |url-status=live }}

McDonald's will reopen its stores in Ukraine after closing them in February in non-contested areas like Kyiv and Western Ukraine. During the closure, McDonald's continued paying its employees, numbering some 10,000. Before the conflict, Ukraine had approximately 109 restaurants; it is unclear how many will reopen.{{cite news | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/8/11/big-macs-comeback-mcdonalds-to-reopen-in-ukraine | title=Big Mac's comeback: McDonald's to reopen in Ukraine | publisher=AP | date=August 11, 2022 | access-date=August 12, 2022 | archive-date=August 24, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824033707/https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/8/11/big-macs-comeback-mcdonalds-to-reopen-in-ukraine | url-status=live }}

On November 11, 2022, McDonald's in Belarus announced that all 25 stores in 6 cities would rebrand and operate as Vkusno i tochka "in several weeks".{{cite web |author= |url=https://officelife.media/news/38042-makdonalds-v-belarusi-budet-rabotat-pod-rossiyskim-brendom-vkusno-i-tochka/ |title="Макдональдс" в Беларуси будет работать под российским брендом "Вкусно — и точка" |language=ru |website=officelife.media |date=November 11, 2022 |access-date=November 11, 2022 |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111090033/https://officelife.media/news/38042-makdonalds-v-belarusi-budet-rabotat-pod-rossiyskim-brendom-vkusno-i-tochka/ |url-status=live }}

In Kazakhstan, McDonald's suspended operations in November 2022 due to the impossibility of supplying minced meat from Russia. The franchise was transferred to Food Solutions KZ, after which the restaurants first changed their name to "We are open" (Біз ашықпыз); in August 2023, they were renamed in honor of the best employees, and in November 2023 the final rebranding was carried out. The network is now called I'M, with a heart sign used instead of a dot over the I.{{Cite web|url=https://kapital.kz/business/121001/eks-restorany-mcdonald-s-budut-rabotat-pod-brendom-i-m.html|title=Экс-рестораны McDonald's будут работать под брендом I'M|language=ru|date=November 23, 2023|website=kapital.kz|access-date=November 27, 2023|archive-date=November 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123054505/https://kapital.kz/business/121001/eks-restorany-mcdonald-s-budut-rabotat-pod-brendom-i-m.html|url-status=live}}

File:McDonalds - Orlando.jpg|Orlando, Florida, United States

File:MarkhamMcDonalds.JPG|Markham, Ontario, Canada

File:London 2012 Olympic Park 027 Worlds biggest McDonalds (7683019916).jpg|Pop-up restaurant at the Olympic Park in London, United Kingdom

File:Wilmersdorf Mecklenburgische Straße Mc Donalds.jpg|Berlin Wilmersdorf, Germany

File:McDonald's in São Paulo, Brazil (50928201302).jpg|São Paulo, Brazil

File:Kosher McDonald's, Abasto Shopping, Buenos Aires.jpg|Abasto Shopping, Buenos Aires, Argentina

File:McDonalds Lugano Switzerland.jpg|Lugano, Switzerland

File:McDonald's in Tallinn.jpg|Tallinn, Estonia

File:McDonald's Sargodha.jpg|Sargodha, Pakistan

File:McDonald's in Finland at night.jpg|Tampere, Finland

File:McDonald's, 119 rue Saint-Lazare, Paris 18 June 2016.jpg|Paris, France

File:McDonalds in Dubai 3.JPG|Dubai, UAE

File:Kosher McDonalds.JPG|Kosher-McDonald's in Ashkelon, Israel

File:McDonald's Biff-square branch Busan Korea 20090223.jpg|Busan, South Korea

File:マクドナルド 2006 新宿 (2244192652).jpg|Tokyo, Japan

File:南京玄武湖柳苑·麦当劳餐厅 - panoramio.jpg|Nanjing, China

File:First donlands Slavija Square.jpg|Belgrade, Slavija Square, Serbia

File:Porto L1180015 (24587586103).jpg|Porto, Portugal

File:McDonald's restoranas Vilniuje.jpg|Vilnius, Lithuania

File:McDonald's near Circular Quay, Sydney CBD.jpg|Sydney

File:McDonald's Binche (Extérieur) J-2.jpg|Binche, Belgium

{{Main|McDonald's advertising}}

McDonald's has maintained an extensive advertising campaign for decades. In addition to the usual media (television, radio, and newspaper), the company makes significant use of billboards and signage. Also, it sponsors sporting events ranging from Little League to the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games.[https://archive.today/20141024172458/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/worldcup/southafrica2010/news/newsid=104427/index.html "McDonald's renews as FIFA World Cup Sponsor until 2014"]. FIFA. Retrieved October 24, 2014 Television has been central to the company's advertising strategy.{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Andrew F.|title=Fast Food and Junk Food: An Encyclopedia of What We Love to Eat, Volume 1|date=2012|publisher=ABC-CLIO|page=175}} To date, McDonald's has used 23 different slogans in United States advertising, as well as a few other slogans for select countries and regions.{{cite web|title=McDonald's slogans used around the world, past and present|url=http://www.irintech.com/x1/co/3264/McDonald%92s-slogans-used-around-the-world,-past-and-present|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126124153/http://www.irintech.com/x1/co/3264/McDonald%92s-slogans-used-around-the-world,-past-and-present|archive-date=January 26, 2013|access-date=June 23, 2015}}

{{Main|Ronald McDonald|McDonaldland}}

In 1992, basketball player Michael Jordan became the first celebrity to have a McDonald's value meal named after him. The "McJordan," a Quarter Pounder with pickles, raw onion slices, bacon, and barbecue sauce, was available at Chicago franchises.{{cite web |title=Remembering Michael Jordan's Landmark McDonald's Deal |url=https://popculture.com/sports/news/remembering-michael-jordans-landmark-mcdonalds-deal/ |access-date=November 12, 2020 |website=Sports |date=September 10, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112193453/https://popculture.com/sports/news/remembering-michael-jordans-landmark-mcdonalds-deal/ |url-status=live }}

In March 2014, a unique "Sprite 6 Mix by LeBron James" flavor of Sprite featuring the flavors of lemon-lime, orange, and cherry debuted just before the NBA playoffs.{{cite web|url=https://www.coca-colacompany.com/press-releases/sprite-and-lebron-james-create-new-limited-edition-flavor|title=Sprite and LeBron James Create Limited-Edition Flavor | Press Release|website=www.coca-colacompany.com|access-date=January 26, 2021|archive-date=January 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131074257/https://www.coca-colacompany.com/press-releases/sprite-and-lebron-james-create-new-limited-edition-flavor|url-status=live}} James' endorsement of Sprite has also included the seasonal "cranberry" and "winter-spiced cranberry" editions of the beverage. James' deal with Coca-Cola and Sprite ended in 2020, with a new partnership with Pepsi and Mountain Dew launching in 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-leaving-coke-after-almost-18-years-to-sign-endorsement-deal-with-pepsi-per-reports/amp/|title=LeBron James leaving Coke after almost 18 years to sign endorsement deal with Pepsi, per reports|website=CBS Sports|access-date=January 26, 2021|archive-date=January 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116185507/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-leaving-coke-after-almost-18-years-to-sign-endorsement-deal-with-pepsi-per-reports/amp/|url-status=live}}

In September 2020, McDonald's partnered with rapper Travis Scott to release the "Travis Scott Meal," a Quarter Pounder with cheese, bacon, lettuce, pickles, ketchup, and mustard; medium fries with barbecue sauce; and a Sprite, nationwide. Scott designed new uniforms for McDonald's employees and released Cactus Jack merchandise using vintage visuals from the fast food chain's history.{{cite web |last=Ju |first=Shirley |date=September 9, 2020 |title=Travis Scott McDonald's Deal Marks First Celebrity Meal Since Michael Jordan in 1992 |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/travis-scott-mcdonalds-meal-michael-jordan-1234763132/ |access-date=November 12, 2020 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=September 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909061356/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/travis-scott-mcdonalds-meal-michael-jordan-1234763132/ |url-status=live }} The company followed up with the "J Balvin Meal", a Big Mac with no pickles; fries with ketchup; and an Oreo McFlurry, in a partnership with reggaeton singer J Balvin.{{cite web |last=Saxena |first=Jaya |date=October 6, 2020 |title=McDonald's Partners With J Balvin Following the Huge Success of the Travis Scott Meal |url=https://www.eater.com/21503999/mcdonalds-follows-up-travis-scott-burger-with-j-balvin-meal |access-date=November 12, 2020 |website=Eater |language=en |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120082228/https://www.eater.com/21503999/mcdonalds-follows-up-travis-scott-burger-with-j-balvin-meal |url-status=live }} LeBron James was a spokesman for McDonald's from 2003 to 2017{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30720002/lebron-james-los-angeles-lakers-sign-deal-pepsi-leaving-coca-cola|title=LeBron set to sign deal with Pepsi, sources say|date=January 16, 2021|website=ESPN.com|access-date=January 26, 2021|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125102933/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30720002/lebron-james-los-angeles-lakers-sign-deal-pepsi-leaving-coca-cola|url-status=live}} while co-endorsing Coca-Cola-Sprite since early in his career.{{cite web|url=https://www.cleveland19.com/story/1401541/lebron-james-signs-deal-with-sprite|title=LeBron James signs deal with Sprite|website=Cleveland19|date=August 14, 2003|access-date=January 26, 2021|archive-date=February 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202125847/https://www.cleveland19.com/story/1401541/lebron-james-signs-deal-with-sprite/|url-status=live}}

In 2021, McDonald's partnered with Korean boy group BTS to release the "BTS Meal" in 50 countries around the world, starting on May 26 in select countries. The meal consists of a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, medium Coke, and for the first time in the United States, two spicy dipping sauces: Sweet Chili and Cajun.{{cite web|last=Shanfeld|first=Ethan|date=April 20, 2021|title=BTS Meal Coming to McDonald's in May|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/bts-fries-meal-mcdonalds-1234955071/|access-date=May 25, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019214456/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/bts-fries-meal-mcdonalds-1234955071/|url-status=live}}

In January 2025, WNBA player Angel Reese became the first woman to partner with McDonald's, creating the Angel Reese Special.{{Cite web |title=First female athlete named to meal |url=https://www.weirtondailytimes.com/news/community/2025/02/first-female-athlete-named-to-meal/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=weirtondailytimes.com |language=en-US}} The meal consists of a Quarter Pounder with cheese, bacon, a new barbecue sauce, medium fries, and a medium orange Hi-C or any choice of drink.{{Cite web |last=Symons |first=Gary |date=2025-02-07 |title=Angel Reese and McDonald's Launch Sporty Quarter-Pounder Partnership |url=https://www.thelicensingletter.com/angel-reese-and-mcdonalds-launch-meal-partnership/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=The Licensing Letter |language=en-US}} Ordering it as a double Quarter Pounder was promoted in reference to Reese's consistent double-doubles during games.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qCYyeRX2_c |title=The Angel Reese Special |date=2025-02-09 |last=McDonald's |access-date=2025-02-23 |via=YouTube}}

McDonald's and NASA explored an advertising agreement for a planned mission to the asteroid 449 Hamburga; however, the spacecraft was eventually canceled.{{cite web |url=http://www.statesman.com/news/news/mars-rover-curiositys-other-mission-publicity-mach/nTTXz/ |title=Mars rover Curiosity's other mission: publicity machine |publisher=Statesman.com |date=December 5, 2012 |access-date=March 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115152226/http://www.statesman.com/news/news/mars-rover-curiositys-other-mission-publicity-mach/nTTXz/ |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

{{multiple image

|align=right

|image1=Jamie mcmurray (29615253173).jpg

|caption1=The McDonald's-sponsored car of Jamie McMurray in 2016

|image2=Bubba Wallace (Image 35 of 47) (cropped).jpg

|caption2=Bubba Wallace in a McDonald's-sponsored racing suit in 2022

|total_width = 400

}}

McDonald's entered the NASCAR Cup Series in 1977, sponsoring Richard Childress for one race. Between the years 1977 and 1986, McDonald's would only sponsor a handful of races in a season. In 1993, McDonald's became the full-time sponsor for the No. 27 Junior Johnson & Associates Ford, driven by Hut Stricklin.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/daytona-500-champ-gets-mcdonalds-sponsorship|title=Daytona 500 champ gets McDonald's sponsorship|publisher=Fox News|date=February 25, 2010|access-date=December 16, 2020|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001090717/https://www.foxnews.com/sports/daytona-500-champ-gets-mcdonalds-sponsorship|url-status=live}} In 1994, Stricklin was replaced in the car by Jimmy Spencer, who would go on to win twice that season. The following season McDonald's would move over to the No. 94 Bill Elliott Racing Ford, driven by team-owner Bill Elliott.{{cite news|url=https://us.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/bill-elliott-mcdonald-s-to-reunite/1167328/|title=Bill Elliott, McDonald's to reunite|website=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=August 25, 2004|access-date=December 16, 2020|archive-date=December 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223171424/https://us.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/bill-elliott-mcdonald-s-to-reunite/1167328/|url-status=live}} McDonald's stayed with Elliott until the 2001 season when they moved again, this time to the No. 96 PPI Motorsports Ford, driven by rookie Andy Houston. However, when the team failed to field a car for the entire season, McDonald's became absent from NASCAR until 2004, when it joined Evernham Motorsports as a part-time sponsor for drivers Elliott, Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler, A. J. Allmendinger, and Reed Sorenson until 2010.

During the 2010 season, McDonald's would enter its longest partnership with a team at Chip Ganassi Racing, sponsoring the No. 1 Chevrolet driven by Jamie McMurray until his final race in the 2019 Daytona 500.{{cite news|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2019/01/18/spire-motorsports-jamie-mcmurray-daytona-500/|title=Spire Motorsports partners with CGR to field Daytona 500 car for Jamie McMurray|work=Spire Motorsports|publisher=NASCAR|date=January 18, 2019|access-date=December 16, 2020|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913002836/https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2019/01/18/spire-motorsports-jamie-mcmurray-daytona-500/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2019/02/19/mcdonalds-kyle-larson-sponsorship-paint-scheme/|title=McDonald's set to race with Kyle Larson, No. 42 team in 2019|work=Chip Ganassi Racing|publisher=NASCAR|date=January 18, 2019|access-date=December 16, 2020|archive-date=February 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220160130/https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2019/02/19/mcdonalds-kyle-larson-sponsorship-paint-scheme/|url-status=live}} McDonald's moved to CGR's No. 42 of Kyle Larson, whom the company sponsored until his suspension in 2020,{{cite news|last=Long|first=Dustin|url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2020/04/13/mcdonalds-credit-one-bank-terminates-sponsorship-of-kyle-larson-nascar/|title=McDonald's, Credit One Bank, Clover terminate sponsorship of Kyle Larson|publisher=NBC Sports|date=April 13, 2020|access-date=December 16, 2020|archive-date=December 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231122009/https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2020/04/13/mcdonalds-credit-one-bank-terminates-sponsorship-of-kyle-larson-nascar/|url-status=live}} and also had a one-race partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports' No. 43 Chevrolet driven by Bubba Wallace in 2019 and 2020.{{cite press release|url=https://www.mrn.com/2019/02/21/mcdonalds-to-sponsor-bubba-wallace/|title=McDonald's to Sponsor Wallace|work=Richard Petty Motorsports|publisher=Motor Racing Network|date=February 21, 2019|access-date=December 16, 2020|archive-date=December 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223171811/https://www.mrn.com/2019/02/21/mcdonalds-to-sponsor-bubba-wallace/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.fultonsun.com/news/sports/pro/story/2020/sep/12/wallace-opts-out-no-43-seasons-end/840976/|title=Wallace opts out of the No. 43 at season's end|agency=AP|newspaper=Fulton Sun|date=September 12, 2020|access-date=December 16, 2020|archive-date=December 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231123403/https://www.fultonsun.com/news/sports/pro/story/2020/sep/12/wallace-opts-out-no-43-seasons-end/840976/|url-status=live}} McDonald's continued working with the No. 42 under new driver Ross Chastain in 2021 and also joined Wallace's new team 23XI Racing as a "founding partner".{{cite tweet|last=Pockrass|first=Bob|author-link=Bob Pockrass|user=bobpockrass|title=Chip Ganassi Racing will also have sponsorship from McDonalds in 2021. McDonalds is one of the five sponsors announced today by 23XI Racing.|number=1338485794596663299|date=December 14, 2020|access-date=December 16, 2020}}{{cite news|last=Estrada|first=Chris|url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2020/12/14/23xi-racing-major-sponsors-bubba-wallace-2021-nascar-cup-series/|title=23XI Racing reveals 'founding partners' for 2021 season|publisher=NBC Sports|date=December 14, 2020|access-date=December 16, 2020|archive-date=December 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214141422/https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2020/12/14/23xi-racing-major-sponsors-bubba-wallace-2021-nascar-cup-series/|url-status=live}}

McDonald's is the title sponsor of the McDonald's All-American Game, an all-star basketball game played each year for the top-ranked amateur boys' and girls' high school basketball graduates in America.

{{See also|Ronald McDonald House Charities}}

File:Feed the clown.JPG]]

McHappy Day is an annual event at McDonald's, during which a percentage of the day's sales go to charity. It is the signature fundraising event for Ronald McDonald House Charities.[https://web.archive.org/web/20100619142321/http://rmhc.org/news-and-events/mchappy-day/ McHappy Day], Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved September 12, 2010.

In 2007, it was celebrated in 17 countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, England, Finland, France, Guatemala, Hungary, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, and Uruguay.

According to the Australian McHappy Day website, McHappy Day raised $20.4 million in 2009. The goal for 2010 was $20.8 million.[http://www.mchappyday.com.au/ McHappy Day] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425170252/http://www.mchappyday.com.au/ |date=April 25, 2013 }}. Retrieved November 8, 2010.

{{See also|McDonald's Monopoly}}

In 1995, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital received an anonymous letter postmarked in Dallas, Texas, containing a $1 million winning McDonald's Monopoly game piece. McDonald's officials came to the hospital, accompanied by a representative from the accounting firm Arthur Andersen, who examined the card under a jeweler's eyepiece, handled it with plastic gloves, and verified it as a winner.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/08/us/donor-turns-fast-food-into-big-bucks-for-hospital.html |work=The New York Times |title=Donor Turns Fast Food Into Big Bucks For Hospital |date=December 8, 1995 |access-date=May 24, 2010 |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231121039/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/08/us/donor-turns-fast-food-into-big-bucks-for-hospital.html |url-status=live }} Although game rules prohibited the transfer of prizes, McDonald's waived the rule. They made the annual $50,000 annuity payments for the entire 20-year period through 2014, even after learning that the piece was sent by an individual involved in an embezzlement scheme intended to defraud McDonald's.

{{See also|McRefugee}}

McRefugees are poor people in Hong Kong, Japan, and China who use McDonald's 24-hour restaurants as a temporary hostel.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-34546807|work=BBC News|title=The night time 'McRefugees' of Hong Kong|date=October 27, 2015|access-date=October 10, 2016|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108105605/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-34546807|url-status=live}}

{{main|Criticism of McDonald's}}

McDonald's has been criticized for numerous aspects of its business, including its products' health effects, employees' treatment, and other business practices. In the late 1980s, Phil Sokolof, a millionaire businessman who had suffered a heart attack at the age of 43, took out full-page newspaper ads in New York, Chicago, and other large cities accusing McDonald's menu of being a threat to American health and asking them to stop using beef tallow to cook their french fries.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-apr-16-me-sokolof16-story.html|title=Phil Sokolof, 82; Used His Personal Fortune in Fight Against High-Fat Foods|date=April 16, 2004|author=Dennis McLellan|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=August 11, 2017|archive-date=August 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821024939/http://articles.latimes.com/2004/apr/16/local/me-sokolof16|url-status=live}}

In 1990, activists from a small group known as London Greenpeace (no connection to the international group Greenpeace) distributed leaflets entitled What's wrong with McDonald's?, criticizing its environmental, health, and labor record. The corporation wrote to the group demanding they desist and apologize, and, when two of the activists refused to back down, sued them for libel leading to the "McLibel case," one of the longest cases in English civil law. A documentary film of the McLibel Trial has been shown in several countries.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4266741.stm |title=McLibel: Longest case in English history |work=BBC News |access-date=April 9, 2015 |archive-date=July 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729171429/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/820786.stm |url-status=live }}

In 2001, Eric Schlosser's book Fast Food Nation included criticism of the business practices of McDonald's, particularly concerning its use of political influence and targeting advertisements to children.{{cite web|last=Schlosser|first=Eric|date=2000|title=Fast Food Nation|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/first/s/schlosser-fast.html?|access-date=June 11, 2021|website=archive.nytimes.com|archive-date=June 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617031817/https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/first/s/schlosser-fast.html|url-status=live}} In 2002, vegetarian groups, largely Hindu and Buddhist, successfully sued McDonald's for misrepresenting its french fries as vegetarian, when they contained beef broth.{{cite web|url=http://hbharti.com/h_bharti_mcd/mcdonlads%20_letter_05_05_93.jpg|title=Letter from McDonald's headquarters claiming fries are vegetarian|access-date=November 6, 2006|archive-date=July 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711151818/http://hbharti.com/h_bharti_mcd/mcdonlads%20_letter_05_05_93.jpg|url-status=dead}}

Critical terms such as "McJob" and "McMansion" have been added to dictionaries.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/books/11/11/offbeat.mcjob.ap/ |archive-date=April 12, 2008 |title=Merriam-Webster: 'McJob' is here to stay |agency=Associated Press |work=CNN Offbeat News |date=November 11, 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412142241/http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/books/11/11/offbeat.mcjob.ap/}}{{cite web |title=McMansion: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/McMansion |website=Merriam-Webster Unabridged |publisher=Merriam-Webster |access-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421160429/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/McMansion |url-status=live }}

Morgan Spurlock's 2004 documentary film Super Size Me claimed that McDonald's food was contributing to the increase of obesity in society and that the company was failing to provide nutritional information about its food for its customers. Six weeks after the film premiered, McDonald's announced that it was eliminating the super size option and was creating the adult Happy Meal.

Litterstudies have found McDonald's is one of the most littered brands worldwide. In 2012, a Keep Australia Beautiful study found that McDonald's was the most littered brand in Queensland.{{Cite news|url=https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/study-reveals-mcdonalds-to-be-pick-of-the-litter/1768498|access-date=February 6, 2020|title=Study reveals McDonalds to be pick of the litter|newspaper=Sunshine Coast Daily|author=Cowen|date=March 1, 2013|quote=According to a study by litter prevention organisation Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB), McDonalds packaging accounted for 17.7% of discarded trash found in the state.|archive-date=February 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206175210/https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/study-reveals-mcdonalds-to-be-pick-of-the-litter/1768498/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://kab.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/KAB-National-Branded-Litter-Study-11-12.pdf|access-date=February 6, 2020|title=National Branded Litter Study 2011/12|author=McGregorTan Research|date=September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429075009/https://kab.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/KAB-National-Branded-Litter-Study-11-12.pdf|archive-date=April 29, 2013|url-status=dead}}

In response to public pressure, McDonald's has sought to include more healthy choices in its menu, announcing in May 2008 that, in the United States and Canada, it has switched to using cooking oil that contains no trans fats for its french fries, and canola-based oil with corn and soy oils, for its baked items, pies, and cookies, by the end of 2018.{{Cite news|date=May 23, 2008|title=McDonald's cooking oil trans-fat-free in the U.S., Canada|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mcdonalds-transfat-idUSN2234307520080523|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106044557/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mcdonalds-transfat-idUSN2234307520080523|url-status=live}} The company introduced a new slogan to its recruitment posters: "Not bad for a McJob."{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2006/apr/20/post3 |title=Not bad for a McJob? |access-date=March 30, 2009 |last=Sweney |first=Mark |date=April 20, 2006 |work=The Guardian |location=London |archive-date=May 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508171652/http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2006/apr/20/post3 |url-status=live }}

File:Gaza (53356500994).jpg

Since McDonald's began receiving criticism for its environmental practices in the 1970s, it has significantly reduced its use of materials.{{Cite web|url=http://www.umich.edu/~nppcpub/resources/compendia/CORPpdfs/CORPcaseA.pdf|title=National Pollution Prevention Center for Higher Education|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000818230239/http://www.umich.edu/~nppcpub/resources/compendia/CORPpdfs/CORPcaseA.pdf|archive-date=August 18, 2000|url-status=live}}

Amidst the Gaza war, as the Israeli blockade restricted supplies to Gaza, McDonald's in Israel faced condemnation for providing free meals to the Israel Defense Forces, who were accused of engaging in war crimes against Palestinians.{{cite web |title=Revenge policy in motion; Israel committing war crimes in Gaza |url=https://www.btselem.org/press_releases/20231010_revenge_policy_in_motion_israel_committing_war_crimes_in_gaza |website=B'tselem |access-date=November 11, 2023 |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022010521/https://www.btselem.org/press_releases/20231010_revenge_policy_in_motion_israel_committing_war_crimes_in_gaza |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|date=October 20, 2023|title=Damning evidence of war crimes as Israeli attacks wipe out entire families in Gaza|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/10/damning-evidence-of-war-crimes-as-israeli-attacks-wipe-out-entire-families-in-gaza/|access-date=November 11, 2023|archive-date=October 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020141613/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/10/damning-evidence-of-war-crimes-as-israeli-attacks-wipe-out-entire-families-in-gaza/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=October 13, 2023|title=McDonald's faces backlash for donating free meals to Israeli forces amid ongoing conflict|url=https://www.samaa.tv/208732607-mcdonald-s-faces-backlash-for-donating-free-meals-to-israeli-forces-amid-ongoing-conflict#tbl-em-lnp5au1hyagx03rjii|website=Samaa Tv|access-date=October 14, 2023|archive-date=October 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013210002/https://www.samaa.tv/208732607-mcdonald-s-faces-backlash-for-donating-free-meals-to-israeli-forces-amid-ongoing-conflict#tbl-em-lnp5au1hyagx03rjii|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Owusu|first=Tony|date=October 13, 2023|title=#BoycottMcDonalds trends as food chain announces to provide free food to Israeli soldiers|url=https://www.oyeyeah.com/lifestyle/boycottmcdonalds-trends/|access-date=October 14, 2023|archive-date=November 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109032754/https://www.oyeyeah.com/lifestyle/boycottmcdonalds-trends/|url-status=live}} The hashtag #BoycottMcDonalds gained worldwide traction on social media.{{Cite web|date=October 13, 2023|title=INTERNATIONALMcDonald's Boycott Becomes Top Trend On Social Media As Fast-Food Chain Is Providing Free Meals To Israeli Troops Attacking Gaza|url=https://thetruthinternational.com/international/mcdonalds-boycott-becomes-top-trend-on-social-after-as-fast-food-chain-is-providing-free-meals-to-israeli-troops-attacking-gaza/|access-date=October 14, 2023|archive-date=November 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109055816/https://thetruthinternational.com/international/mcdonalds-boycott-becomes-top-trend-on-social-after-as-fast-food-chain-is-providing-free-meals-to-israeli-troops-attacking-gaza/|url-status=live}} There were also large gathering outside restaurants in Lebanon and Egypt protesting the move. McDonald's in other countries, like Turkey and Pakistan, distanced themselves from the Israeli brand.{{Cite web|last=IMPELLI|first=MATTHEW|date=October 14, 2023|title=McDonald's Faces Boycott for Giving Israeli Soldiers Free Food|url=https://www.newsweek.com/mcdonalds-faces-boycott-giving-israeli-soldiers-free-food-1834506|website=NEWS WEEK|access-date=October 14, 2023|archive-date=October 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013235440/https://www.newsweek.com/mcdonalds-faces-boycott-giving-israeli-soldiers-free-food-1834506|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=October 14, 2023|title=McDonalds Pakistan, Turkey, Lebanon release statements; dissociate themselves from Israel|newspaper=The Current |url=https://thecurrent.pk/mcdonalds-pakistan-turkey-lebanon-release-statements-dissociate-themselves-from-israel/|access-date=October 14, 2023|archive-date=October 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016093004/https://thecurrent.pk/mcdonalds-pakistan-turkey-lebanon-release-statements-dissociate-themselves-from-israel/|url-status=live}}

In January 2024, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski acknowledged the public outcry, stating, "Several markets in the Middle East and some outside the region are experiencing a meaningful business impact due to the war and associated misinformation that is affecting brands like McDonald's."{{Cite news |date=January 4, 2024 |title=McDonald's hit by Israel-Gaza 'misinformation' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67885910 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109022207/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67885910 |url-status=live }} As a result of the boycott, McDonald's bought all 225 Israeli franchise-owned restaurants.{{Cite web |title=McDonald's buys 225 of Israel franchise restaurants after boycotts amid war |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/5/mcdonalds-buys-all-225-of-israeli-franchise-restaurants-after-boycotts |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Valdez |first=Jonah |date=2024-07-30 |title=Boycotts Against Israel Are Hurting Starbucks and McDonald's Sales Worldwide |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/07/30/boycotts-israel-starbucks-mcdonalds-sales/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=The Intercept |language=en-US}}

In 2010, McDonald's recalled 12 million of its promotional Shrek-themed drinking glasses due to traces of cadmium in the paint of the glass. The release of these glasses coincided with the release of the Shrek movie "Shrek Forever After".{{Cite news |date=2010-10-07 |title=Feds: "Shrek" Glasses Dangerous with 8 Touches |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/feds-shrek-glasses-dangerous-with-8-touches/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919061444/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/feds-shrek-glasses-dangerous-with-8-touches/ |archive-date=2021-09-19 |access-date=2025-01-17 |work=CBS News}}{{Cite news |last=Neuman |first=William |date=2010-06-04 |title=McDonald's to Recall Glasses, Citing Cadmium |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/business/05recall.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209225450/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/business/05recall.html |archive-date=2024-12-09 |access-date=2025-01-17 |work=New York Times}} The glasses were produced by ARC International, of Millville, New Jersy.{{Cite news| title = McDonald's Recalls Movie Themed Drinking Glasses Due to Potential Cadmium Risk| work = U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission| access-date = 5 June 2010| date = 4 June 2010| url = http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml10/10257.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100607024105/http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10257.html| archive-date = 7 June 2010}}

In 2016, McDonald's recalled 32.6 million fitness tracker toys that were in their Happy Meals for causing blisters and burning the wearers. The issue was popularized by a parent in Arkansas that posted a video on Facebook of her child getting burned by the tracker. The marketing stunt was also criticized for associating fitness and health with unhealthy food and that any benefits from the children using the tracker would be shortlived.{{Cite news |title=McDonald’s Recalls More Than 30 Million Happy Meal Fitness Trackers After Reports of Injuries |url=https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/mcdonalds-recalls-more-than-30-million-happy-meal-fitness-trackers-after-reports-of-injuries/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210420162236/https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/mcdonalds-recalls-more-than-30-million-happy-meal-fitness-trackers-after-reports-of-injuries/ |archive-date=2021-04-20 |access-date=2025-03-21 |work=KTLA |language=en-US}}

{{Main|McDonald's legal cases}}

McDonald's has been involved in several lawsuits and other legal cases, most involving trademark disputes. The company has threatened many food businesses with legal action unless it drops the 'Mc' or 'Mac' from trading names.

In April 2017, Irish fast-food chain Supermac's submitted a request to the European Union Property Office to cancel McDonald's owned trademarks within the European Union, claiming that McDonald's engaged in "trademark bullying; registering brand names... which are simply stored away in a war chest to use against future competitors", after the trademarks had prevented Supermac's from expanding out of Ireland. The EUIPO ruled in Supermac's favor, finding that McDonald's "has not proven genuine use" of many trademarks, canceling McDonald's owned trademarks such as "Big Mac" and specific "Mc"-related trademarks within the European Union.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/its-like-connacht-winning-against-the-all-blacks-supermacs-ceo-responds-to-big-mac-trademark-success-against-mcdonalds-37713005.html|title='It's like Connacht winning against the All Blacks': Supermac's CEO responds to Big Mac trademark success against McDonald's|website=Irish Independent|date=January 15, 2019|last=Kelly|first=Louise|language=en|access-date=January 18, 2019|archive-date=January 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121340/https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/its-like-connacht-winning-against-the-all-blacks-supermacs-ceo-responds-to-big-mac-trademark-success-against-mcdonalds-37713005.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=January 15, 2019|title='End of the McBully' - Supermac's wins trademark case against McDonald's|work=RTÉ|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2019/0115/1023322-supermacs-mcdonalds-trademark-row/|access-date=January 15, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117204542/https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2019/0115/1023322-supermacs-mcdonalds-trademark-row/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/mcdonalds-big-mac-trademark-supermacs-eu-europe-ireland-a8728891.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/mcdonalds-big-mac-trademark-supermacs-eu-europe-ireland-a8728891.html |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=EU strips McDonald's of its Big Mac trademark in Europe|date=January 15, 2019|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=January 18, 2019}}

Burger King responded by "trolling" McDonald's by giving their burgers names that included the words "Big Mac" that also mocked the original burger, which included "Like a Big Mac But Juicier," "Like a Big Mac, But Actually Big" and "Big Mac-ish But Flame-Grilled of Course."{{cite news|title='Like a Big Mac But Juicier': Burger King renames sandwiches to troll McDonald's|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/31/like-a-big-mac-but-juicier-burger-king-renames-sandwiches-to-troll-mcdonalds|work=The Guardian|access-date=February 4, 2019|archive-date=February 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203223533/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/31/like-a-big-mac-but-juicier-burger-king-renames-sandwiches-to-troll-mcdonalds|url-status=live}}

In 2023, the EUIPO Board of Appeal partially annulled their decision after McDonald's filed 700 pages of additional evidence despite objections.{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/article/mcdonalds-finally-proves-big-mac-use-what-can-brands-learn-long-running-saga|title=McDonald's finally proves BIG MAC use, but what can brands learn from this long-running saga?|website=www.worldtrademarkreview.com|access-date=February 16, 2023|archive-date=February 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201023510/https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/article/mcdonalds-finally-proves-big-mac-use-what-can-brands-learn-long-running-saga|url-status=live}} However, on further appeal to the European Court of Justice, the court ruled in 2024 that McDonald's had failed to prove the use of the Big Mac trademark in relation to chicken products or services associated with operating restaurants, meaning Supermac's and other businesses are now free to use the "Mac" in their business names and in names for poultry products in Europe. McDonald's retains the Big Mac trademark solely for its beef burgers.{{cite news |last1=Power |first1=Jack |title=EU court rules in favor of Supermac's in 'Big Mac' trademark row with McDonald's |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/06/05/eu-court-rules-in-favour-of-supermacs-in-trademark-row-with-mcdonalds/ |access-date=5 June 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=5 June 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Connelly |first1=Tony |title=Supermac's wins Big Mac trademark case with McDonald's |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2024/0605/1453086-supermacs-mcdonalds-trade-mark-case/ |access-date=5 June 2024 |work=RTÉ News |date=5 June 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Hosford |first1=Paul |title=EU court rules in favour of Supermac's in trademark dispute with McDonald's over 'Big Mac' |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/courtandcrime/arid-41409767.html |access-date=5 June 2024 |work=Irish Examiner |date=5 June 2024 |language=en}}

The McDonald's group has had proceedings taken against it by the French Tax Authorities, with possible charges of criminal tax fraud. In July 2022, the group reached an agreement with the French judicial authorities to end criminal proceedings for tax fraud.{{Cite web |title=McDonald's—Will the Growing Cooperation Between France's Tax and Prosecution Authorities Erode Taxpayers' Rights? |url=https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report-international/mcdonalds-will-the-growing-cooperation-between-frances-tax-and-prosecution-authorities-erode-taxpayers-rights |access-date=July 27, 2022 |website=news.bloombergtax.com |language=en |archive-date=July 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727083208/https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report-international/mcdonalds-will-the-growing-cooperation-between-frances-tax-and-prosecution-authorities-erode-taxpayers-rights |url-status=live }}

On September 8, 2009, McDonald's Malaysian operations lost a lawsuit to prevent another restaurant from calling itself McCurry. McDonald's lost in an appeal to Malaysia's highest court, the Federal Court.BBC online news article dated September 8, 2009 [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8243270.stm News.BB.co.uk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216063354/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8243270.stm |date=December 16, 2010 }} On December 29, 2016, McDonald's Malaysia issued a statement that said only certified halal cakes are allowed inside its restaurants nationwide.{{cite web|url=https://says.com/my/news/only-halal-cakes-allowed-in-mcdonald-s-malaysia-restaurants|title=Cakes Without The Halal Logo Will Not Be Allowed In McD's|first=Nandini|last=Balakrishnan|date=December 30, 2016|website=SAYS|access-date=January 26, 2021|archive-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010125151/https://says.com/my/news/only-halal-cakes-allowed-in-mcdonald-s-malaysia-restaurants|url-status=live}}

In April 2007, in Perth, Western Australia, McDonald's pleaded guilty to five charges relating to the employment of children under 15 in one of its outlets and was fined A$8,000.{{cite news|title=McDonald's fined for employing underage workers |date=April 12, 2007 |publisher=ABC News |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1895071.htm |access-date=April 12, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418214623/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1895071.htm |archive-date=April 18, 2007 }}

The longest-running legal action of all time in the UK was the McLibel case against two defendants who criticized several aspects of the company. The trial lasted ten years and called 130 witnesses. The European Court of Human Rights deemed that the unequal resources of the litigants breached the defendants' rights to freedom of speech and biased the trial. The result was widely seen as a "PR disaster" for McDonald's.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4266741.stm|title=McLibel: Longest case in English history|work=BBC News|date=February 15, 2005|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-date=August 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825203829/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4266741.stm|url-status=live}}

In the end of November 2013, controversy arose after the Rucka Rucka Ali song "Only 17", a parody of "Just a Dream" by Nelly, was accidentally played uncensored over the speakers at a McDonald's restaurant in Wales. Subsequently, McDonald's issued an apology to the offended customers.{{cite news|last=Stone|first=Anthony|title=McDonald's sorry over rap lyrics|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/19937451/mcdonalds-sorry-over-rap-lyrics/|newspaper=Yahoo News|date=November 21, 2013|access-date=October 7, 2022|archive-date=December 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212174734/http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/19937451/mcdonalds-sorry-over-rap-lyrics/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-11-21/mcmuffins-and-a-side-of-lewd-rap-at-a-british-mcdonalds |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121224253/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-11-21/mcmuffins-and-a-side-of-lewd-rap-at-a-british-mcdonalds |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 21, 2013 |title=McDonald's Apologizes for Playing a Rucka Rucka Ali Song in Wales |work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek |date=November 21, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2015}}

In 2021, it emerged that at least 50 employees had filed charges against the chains regarding harassment in the workplace in five years, leading to the company instituting anti-harassment training. Some of the complainants also stated that they were verbally and physically harassed in retaliation for their complaints.{{Cite news |last=Media |first=P. A. |date=February 8, 2023 |title=McDonald's signs legal pledge amid UK sexual harassment concerns |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/feb/08/mcdonalds-signs-legal-pledge-amid-uk-sexual-harassment-concerns |access-date=February 8, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204142310/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/feb/08/mcdonalds-signs-legal-pledge-amid-uk-sexual-harassment-concerns |url-status=live }} In 2023, the BBC conducted an investigation, and reported that more than 100 current and recent UK workers at outlets of the fast-food chain allege there is a continuing toxic culture of sexual assault, harassment, racism and bullying.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65388445 |title=McDonald's workers speak out over sexual abuse claims |publisher=BBC |date=July 18, 2023 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718102941/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65388445 |url-status=live }}

In January 2025, it was reported that over 700 young workers had filed lawsuits against McDonald's UK, alleging widespread harassment and discrimination. The claims, handled by the law firm Leigh Day, involved current and former employees under the age of 20 and spanned more than 450 restaurants. Following a BBC investigation in July 2023, testimonies highlighted issues such as racism, homophobia, ableism, and harassment. McDonald's UK, dismissed 29 workers for sexual harassment in 2023 and established a specialist unit to investigate such allegations. However, unions argued that these measures did not resolve the issues. Employees shared accounts of inappropriate behavior, including homophobic remarks, sexual advances, and unwanted physical contact from managers. Similar allegations had been raised in 2019, with the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union reporting over 1,000 cases of harassment involving female employees.{{cite news|title=Hundreds of young workers sue McDonald's UK alleging harassment |date=7 January 2025 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250107-hundreds-of-young-workers-sue-mcdonald-s-uk-alleging-harassment |website=France24 |access-date=9 January 2025}} In March 2025, the Equality and Human Rights Commission wrote to all 1,400 McDonalds branches telling them they must comply with their legal duties, or risk enforcement action.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-14 |title=McDonald's: Every branch in Britain warned over staff sexual abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c337m3v3mgzo |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

The 1994 court case Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurants examined a McDonald's practice of serving coffee so hot that when spilled, it caused third degree burns requiring weeks of hospitalization and skin grafting surgery.{{cite web |last=Goodman |first=Amy |author1-link=Amy Goodman |title=Do You Know the Full Story Behind the Infamous McDonald's Coffee Case and How Corporations Used it to Promote Tort Reform? |url=http://www.democracynow.org/2011/1/25/do_you_know_the_full_story |website=Democracy Now! |language=en |date=January 25, 2011 |access-date=August 17, 2013 |archive-date=August 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817091613/http://www.democracynow.org/2011/1/25/do_you_know_the_full_story |url-status=live }} The trial outcome was an award of $2.86 million (equivalent to ${{inflation|US-GDP|2.86|1994|r=2|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}) for the plaintiff, 81-year old Stella Liebeck. The amount was later reduced to $640,000 (equivalent to ${{inflation|US-GDP|.64|1994|r=1|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}). In 2019, a McDonald's employee, Jenna Ries, sued the restaurant chain over allowing sexual harassment in the workplace and described the working environment as "toxic".{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mcdonald-s-corp-lawsuit-idUSKBN1XM1VT|title=McDonald's workers sue over sexual harassment, 'toxic' work culture|date=November 13, 2019|work=Reuters|access-date=November 13, 2019|language=en|archive-date=November 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113003621/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mcdonald-s-corp-lawsuit-idUSKBN1XM1VT|url-status=live}}

In 2023, an investigation by the United States Department of Labor found child labor violations at McDonald's franchises in the state of Kentucky, which involved over 300 children, two of them 10-year-olds. A total of $212,000 was levied against three franchises for the violations.{{cite news |author= |date=May 3, 2023 |title=McDonald's franchises fined for child labor violations in Labor Department crackdown |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/mcdonalds-franchises-fined-for-child-labor-violations-in-labor-department-crackdown |work=PBS |location= |access-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803123935/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/mcdonalds-franchises-fined-for-child-labor-violations-in-labor-department-crackdown |url-status=live }} Further investigations uncovered child labor violations involving 83 minors at 16 different locations in Louisiana and Texas, with imposed fines amounting to $77,572.{{cite news|last=Marnin|first=Julia|date=July 26, 2023|title=Child labor violations involving 388 minors at McDonald's uncovered since May, feds say|url=https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article277669018.html|work=Tri-City Herald|location=|access-date=July 30, 2023|archive-date=February 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204142423/https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article277669018.html|url-status=live}}

McDonald's has been criticized for shrinkflation, colloquially dubbed "McFlation", with increases in menu prices far exceeding inflation.{{cite news |last1=Rogelberg |first1=Sasha |title=McDonald's CEO sees a McFlation 'battleground' with customers revolting over $8 chicken sandwiches and $3 hash browns |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mcdonald-ceo-sees-mcflation-battleground-210653197.html |access-date=14 May 2024 |work=Yahoo Finance |date=13 February 2024}}{{cite news |last1=ROGELBERG |first1=SASHA |title=McDonald's may be willing to lose money on $5 meal deals if it means winning back disgruntled cash-strapped customers |url=https://fortune.com/2024/05/14/mcdonalds-5-dollar-meal-deal-inflation-mcflation-chris-kempczinski/ |access-date=14 May 2024 |work=Fortune |date=May 14, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=O'sullivan |first=John |date=2024-02-29 |title=McDonald's customers not happy with Filet O Fish change |url=https://www.irishstar.com/news/us-news/mcdonalds-customers-not-happy-filet-32244493 |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=Irish Star |language=en}}

• Arcos Dorados Holdings
• The Founder, a 2016 biopic of Ray Kroc and the business history of McDonald's
• International availability of McDonald's products
• List of countries with McDonald's restaurants
• List of hamburger restaurants
• List of largest employers
• List of fast food restaurant chains
• MaDonal, a restaurant in Iraq that copies many features of McDonald's
• Maxime, McDuff & McDo, a 2002 documentary film about the unionizing of a McDonald's in Montreal
• McMillions, a 2020 HBO documentary miniseries about the McDonald's Monopoly promotion scam that occurred between 1989 and 2001
• "Sundae Bloody Sundae", a public relations controversy in Portugal
• McDonald's and unions

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• Ashenfelter, Orley, and Štěpán Jurajda. "Minimum Wages, Wages, and Price Pass-Through: The Case of McDonald's Restaurants." Journal of Labor Economics 40.S1 (2022): S179-S201. [https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/718190 abstract]
• Bryman, Alan. "McDonald's as a Disneyized institution: Global implications." American Behavioral Scientist 47.2 (2003): 154–167. [http://www.sagepub.co.in/sage3g/sage-uk.war/dicken6/Sociology%20Online%20readings/ch%209%20-%20bryman.pdf online]
• {{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=International directory of company histories |editor=Derdak, Thomas and Jay P. Pederson |edition=3rd |publisher=St. James Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-55862-512-9 |article=McDonald's |pages=[https://archive.org/details/internationaldir0000unse_r9u7/page/108 108–9] |url=https://archive.org/details/internationaldir0000unse_r9u7/page/108 }}
• Eckhardt, Giana M., and Michael J. Houston. "Cultural paradoxes reflected in brand meaning: McDonald's in Shanghai, China." Journal of International Marketing 10.2 (2002): 68–82 [https://www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/8683/volumes/v29/NA-29/full online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001180128/https://www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/8683/volumes/v29/NA-29/full |date=October 1, 2022 }}.
• {{cite news | last=Evans | first=Stephen | title=McDonald's: The journey to health | work=BBC News | date=April 20, 2004 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3641603.stm | access-date=June 30, 2016}}
• {{cite web | last=Horovitz | first=Bruce | title=McDonald's testing seasoned fries | website=USA Today | date=May 8, 2014 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/05/08/mcdonalds-french-fries-fast-food-restaurants/8857099/ | access-date=June 30, 2016}}
• Kincheloe, Joe. "The complex politics of McDonald's and the new childhood: Colonizing kidworld." International Critical Childhood Policy Studies Journal 4.1 (2011): 1–46. [https://journals.sfu.ca/iccps/index.php/childhoods/article/download/39/32 online]
• Kincheloe, Joe L. The sign of the burger: McDonald's and the culture of power (Temple University Press, 2002).
• Kottak, Conrad P. "Rituals at McDonald's." Journal of American culture 1.2 (1978): 370–376 [https://www.academia.edu/download/51066476/j.1542-734x.1978.0102_370.x20161226-23826-1h2nsuc.pdf online]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}.
• Kroc, Ray. Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald's, 1977 {{ISBN|0809282593}} a primary source
• Langert, Bob. The battle to do good: Inside McDonald's sustainability journey (2019).
• Livesey, Sharon M. "McDonald's and the Environmental Defense Fund: A case study of a green alliance." Journal of Business Communication (1973) 36.1 (1999): 5–39.
• Love, John F. McDonald's: Behind The Arches (1995). [https://archive.org/details/nf00john online]
• Napoli, Lisa. Ray & Joan: The Man Who Made the McDonald's Fortune and the Woman Who Gave It All Away. 2016. {{ISBN|1101984953}}.
• Ram, Uri. "Glocommodification: How the global consumes the local--McDonald's in Israel." Current Sociology 52.1 (2004): 11–31. [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Uri-Ram-2/publication/249680102 online]
• Royle, Tony. Working for McDonald's in Europe: the unequal struggle (Routledge, 2004).
• Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by 2001 {{ISBN|0395977894}}.
• Smith, Andrew F. ed. Encyclopedia of Junk Food and Fast Food (2006)
• Tien, Nguyen Hoang. "Customization and Standardization of the Business Strategy of Foreign Enterprises in Vietnam–the McDonald's Case and the Fast Food Sector" International journal of research in marketing management and sales 1.2 (2019): 44–50. [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nguyen-Tien-32/publication/338719274 online]
• Vignali, Claudio. "McDonald's: 'Think global, act local'–the marketing mix." British food journal (2001) [https://www.academia.edu/download/52822938/Mc.Donalds.pdf online]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}.
• Watson, James L., ed. Golden Arches East: McDonald's in East Asia (Stanford University Press, 2006) [https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Arches-East-McDonalds-Second/dp/0804749892/ excerpt]

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