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
Trump delivers tough love message to ICE shooting victim's MAGA father

Trump’s Candid Message to MAGA Supporter: Addressing the Tragedy of ICE Shooting Victim’s Father

President Donald Trump has expressed a mixed message to the family of…
Trump promises 'very strong action' in Iran as he reveals new red line

Trump Vows Decisive Measures on Iran, Announces New Strategic Threshold

Donald Trump has vowed to implement ‘very strong action’ against Iran if…
Nathan Chasing Horse, right, talks to his attorney Craig Mueller during his trial on charges of sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Trial Date Approaches for ‘Dances with Wolves’ Actor Nathan Chasing Horse in Child Sexual Abuse Case

The trial of Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role in “Dances…
Afghan illegal immigrant who stabbed sister for being 'bad Muslim girl' arrested by ICE agents in New York

ICE Agents Detain Afghan Immigrant in NYC: Stabbing Incident Sparks Cultural and Legal Debate

An Afghan national with a prior conviction for attempting to murder his…
Trump admin exit from UN, international organizations raises question of who’s next

Trump Administration’s Withdrawal from UN and Global Bodies Sparks Speculation on Future Departures

In the wake of the Trump administration’s move to pull out from…
Tennessee Highway Patrol debunks viral claims protester was struck by trooper vehicle

Fact Check: Tennessee Highway Patrol Clears the Air on Viral Protester Incident

Dashcam footage has surfaced showing a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer deftly maneuvering…
Three men arrested after string of vehicle burglaries in Jacksonville Beach

Trio Nabbed in Connection with Jacksonville Beach Car Break-Ins

In a recent wave of vehicle burglaries, Jacksonville Beach police apprehended three…
Harvey news: Mayor misses Harvey City Council's first meeting in months as financial crisis continues, frustrating residents

Harvey Mayor Absent from Key City Council Meeting Amid Ongoing Financial Struggles, Leaving Residents Frustrated

The city of Harvey, Illinois, convened its City Council meeting on Monday…