McDonald's rolls back diversity goals
Share and Follow


Fast food giant McDonald’s has become the latest company to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) commitments following the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision ending affirmative action in college admissions. 

McDonald’s announced Monday it will retire specific goals for achieving diversity at senior leadership levels, The Associated Press reported. The company also plans to disband a program that encourages suppliers to develop diversity training and increase the number of minorities in leadership positions. 

Under Reginald J. Miller, McDonald’s president and global diversity, equity and inclusion officer, the Chicago-based company in 2021 announced executive bonuses would be tied to meeting DEI goals. 

The company also started its “Allyship through Accountability” policy, which committed to filling 35 percent of U.S. leadership roles with underrepresented groups and 45 percent of leadership roles with women by 2025.

In an open letter to employees and franchisees announcing the rollbacks, McDonald’s senior leadership team said 30 percent of U.S. leaders are from underrepresented groups, and it has reached gender pay equity at all levels since setting the 2021 goal, according to the AP. 

McDonald’s becomes the latest corporation to step back from DEI commitments following the Supreme Court’s decision and growing conservative backlash to such policies. 

Companies including Walmart, John Deere, Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s and Ford have all ended or cut back on DEI programs since 2023. 

While McDonald’s plans to continue reporting demographic data, it will no longer participate in “external surveys.” It’s unclear which surveys those are, but companies including Lowe’s and Ford, have announced they will not participate in an annual survey by the Human Rights Campaign to measure workplace inclusion for LGBTQ employees. 

McDonald’s attributed the policy changes to the “shifting legal landscape,” added that the actions of other companies caused it to take a look at its own policies, according to the AP.

Despite the changes, the company said it would continue to support efforts that ensure a diverse base of employees, suppliers and franchisees. 

“McDonald’s position and our commitment to inclusion is steadfast. Since our founding, we’ve prided ourselves on understanding that the foundation of our business is people,” the company said on Monday. 

“We are proud of the work that we do at McDonald’s. We will continue to drive business results through all three legs of the McDonald’s stool, specifically with our people practices, by fueling economic impact and innovation through our robust supply chain and by building a franchisee pipeline that thrives in the communities we serve and fuels our growth”

Updated at 5:11 p.m. EST.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Australian PM defies calls for broad independent investigation of Bondi Beach massacre

Australian PM Stands Firm Against Demands for Independent Probe into Bondi Beach Tragedy

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has decided against initiating a Royal Commission…
Former Hamas hostage warned Australian leaders about dangers of antisemitism months before Bondi Beach attack

Ex-Hamas Captive Alerted Aussie Officials to Antisemitism Risks Before Bondi Beach Incident

Earlier in the year, a former Hamas hostage, Eli Sharabi, raised a…
Australian state weighs ban on 'globalize the intifada' chants, masked protesters in wake of Hanukkah attack

Australia Considers Crackdown on Intifada Chants and Masked Protests Following Hanukkah Incident: What You Need to Know

In a significant move, New South Wales (NSW) in Australia is considering…
Wisconsin judge found guilty of obstruction for helping immigrant shake federal authorities

Wisconsin Judge Convicted for Aiding Immigrant in Evading Federal Authorities

A Wisconsin judge was convicted late Thursday of obstruction for aiding a…
Dave Chappelle stuns audience with Charlie Kirk comment in surprise Netflix comedy special

Dave Chappelle’s Netflix Special Shakes Up Audiences with Bold Charlie Kirk Remarks

Comedian Dave Chappelle has once again addressed the tragic assassination of conservative…
Dear Abby: My son chose Disneyland over his sick aunt

Family Dilemma: When a Trip to Disneyland Takes Priority Over a Sick Aunt

DEAR ABBY: My sister recently fell seriously ill and had to spend…
Desperate search for two men as fishing boat found empty 70 miles off Florida coast

Urgent Search Underway: Two Men Missing After Abandoned Fishing Boat Discovered 70 Miles Off Florida Coast

The search effort is actively underway for two fishermen, Randall Spivey, aged…
Chilling mystery of 'toddler's foot' in Epstein files snap

Unraveling the Enigma: Mysterious ‘Toddler’s Foot’ Photograph Discovered in Epstein Files

On Friday, a massive release of documents known as the Epstein files…