McDonald's controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2020
Customer sues McDonald’s over alleged Chicken McNugget injury
Lawsuit filed
A West Palm Beach customer filed a federal lawsuit alleging that a bone in a Chicken McNugget broke his tooth; he sought $1.1 million and a recall of McNuggets. The allegations are not presented as judicial findings.
Source excerpt
According to a lawsuit he filed in federal court, Alexei Stolfat bit into a McNugget and felt “unbearable pain.” Then he pulled a nearly 1-inch bone out of his mouth.
Stolfat is seeking $1.1 million and a recall of all McNuggets “to avoid massive consumer injuries.”
2020
McDonald's sues former CEO over exit package
Lawsuit filed
McDonald's filed a lawsuit against former CEO Stephen Easterbrook seeking to recover his exit package. The filing alleges that he concealed evidence and lied about sexual relationships with employees, and that he approved a stock grant for one employee during a relationship.
Stated objective. Recover compensation and prevent Easterbrook from exercising stock options.
Company response
Investigation — McDonald's
an internal investigation showed that he had sexual relationships with multiple employees, violating company policy
Source excerpt
As a result, the fast-food chain filed a complaint in the Delaware Chancery Court to recover any compensation and severance benefits that he received when he left his post.
The evidence also shows Easterbrook approved a special discretionary grant of restricted stock units worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to one of the employees after their first sexual encounter -- and just days before their second, the company said.
An internal investigation found evidence of that relationship, and of two others, McDonald's said.
2020
McDonald’s responds to discriminatory notice at Guangzhou restaurant
Company response
McDonald’s apologized after a franchise restaurant in Guangzhou posted a notice barring Black people from entering. The company said it removed the notice, temporarily closed the restaurant, and conducted diversity and inclusion training at the branch.
Company response
Apology — McDonald’s
The chain has since apologized
Remediation — McDonald’s
Immediately upon learning of an unauthorized communication to our guests at a restaurant in Guangzhou, we immediately removed the communication and temporarily closed the restaurant
Remediation — McDonald’s
The restaurant added that it had conducted “diversity and inclusion” training in the branch.
Source excerpt
After widespread news reports of a McDonald’s in China refusing to serve black people and essentially banning them from the restaurant, the company has issued an apology for the actions of that franchise, according to MSN.
The restaurant added that it had conducted “diversity and inclusion” training in the branch.
The chain has since apologized and a spokesman for McDonald’s told AFP that the notice was “not representative of our inclusive values”.
2020
McDonald's responds to discriminatory notice at Guangzhou restaurant
Company response
After a Guangzhou branch barred Black people from entering, McDonald's apologized, said the notice was not representative of its inclusive values, removed the communication, temporarily closed the restaurant, and conducted diversity and inclusion training there.
Company response
Apology — McDonald's
McDonald's in China has apologised after a branch in the industrial city of Guangzhou barred black people from entering.
Remediation — McDonald's
“Immediately upon learning of an unauthorised communication to our guests at a restaurant in Guangzhou, we immediately removed the communication and temporarily closed the restaurant.”
Remediation — McDonald's
The restaurant added that it had conducted “diversity and inclusion” training in the branch.
Investigation — McDonald’s
McDonald's said in a statement that it was committed to ensuring workers were not subject to sexual harassment."The plaintiffs' allegations of harassment and retaliation were investigated as soon as they were brought to our attention, and we will likewise investigate the new allegations that they have raised in their complaint," it said.
Source excerpt
McDonald's also responded, saying the ban on black people was “not representative of our inclusive values”.
McDonald's in China has apologised after a branch in the industrial city of Guangzhou barred black people from entering.
McDonald's apologized Saturday for a racist sign posted in one of its restaurants in China.
2020
McDonald's responds after Guangzhou restaurant displays sign barring Black people
Company response
After a sign at a McDonald's location in Guangzhou said Black people were not allowed to enter, McDonald's said the sign did not represent its inclusive values. The sign was removed, the location was temporarily closed, and the company said the closure would be used to further educate managers and employees.
Company response
Clarification — McDonald's
The sign is "not representative of our inclusive values," McDonald's said in a statement.
Remediation — McDonald's
McDonald's said it will use the closure to "further educate managers and employees on our values, which includes serving all members of the communities in which we operate."
Source excerpt
McDonald's said it will use the closure to "further educate managers and employees on our values, which includes serving all members of the communities in which we operate."
The sign, which recently circulated on social media, said the McDonald's location in Guangzhou has "been informed+ that from now on black people are not allowed to enter the restaurant."
The sign is "not representative of our inclusive values," McDonald's said in a statement. The sign was removed and the location was temporarily closed down.
2019
Steve Easterbrook dismissal
McDonald's dismissed CEO Steve Easterbrook after the board concluded that he had violated company policy through a relationship with an employee. The event raised governance questions and resulted in a leadership transition.
2019
Couple files negligence lawsuit against McDonald’s over alleged restaurant assault
Lawsuit filed
A Portland couple filed a lawsuit seeking $400,000 in damages and accusing McDonald’s of negligence after an alleged assault involving a restaurant employee. The article reports the allegations; it does not establish a court determination.
Source excerpt
The couple is seeking $400,000 in physical and emotional damages in the lawsuit, which was filed Thursday morning, accusing McDonald's of negligence, and Lowman of assault and battery.
2019
McDonald’s outlet in Bengaluru fined over hygiene issues
Fine or penalty
In 2019, health inspectors in Bengaluru fined a McDonald’s outlet in Shantinagar Rs 25,000 during raids on eateries. The fine was reported in the context of inspections concerning poor hygiene. The event was covered in an article about McDonald’s and other eateries in Bengaluru that were fined over hygiene issues and the use of plastic. The report identifies the outlet, the location, the amount of the fine, and the inspection context, without further details on outcomes or additional allegations.
Bengaluru health inspectors fined a McDonald’s outlet in Shantinagar Rs 25,000 during raids on eateries. The article reports the fine in the context of poor hygiene inspections.
Source excerpt
McDonald’s was slapped a fine of Rs 25,000.
Health inspectors of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Wednesday fined multiple fast-food chains, including a McDonald’s outlet in Shantinagar, and other eateries located in prime localities on Wednesday.
2019
McDonald's Korea reaches settlement over child's treatment expenses
Settlement
McDonald's Korea said it reached a settlement with a girl suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome and agreed to pay her medical bills. Her mother had alleged that the illness followed the child eating an undercooked hamburger patty purchased from the chain; McDonald's denied a link, and prosecutors did not press charges, citing a lack of evidence.
McDonald’s Korea said it reached a settlement with a girl suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome and agreed to pay her medical bills. Her mother had alleged that the illness followed the child eating an undercooked hamburger patty purchased from the chain; McDonald’s denied a link, and prosecutors did not press charges, citing a lack of evidence.
Company response
Refund or compensation — McDonald's Korea
McDonald's expressed regret over the suffering experienced by the girl and her family over the past two years, saying it will pay all her medical bills so far, as well as future expenses for her treatment.
Source excerpt
A mother filed a complaint against the Korean arm of McDonald's in July 2017, claiming her four-year-old daughter was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome after eating an undercooked hamburger patty purchased from the chain in September 2016.
McDonald's Korea said Tuesday it has reached a settlement with a girl suffering from so-called "hamburger disease" to pay medical bills for her treatment
McDonald's denied any links between the hamburger and the child's illness, and prosecutors did not press charges against the US company following an investigation that lasted months, citing a lack of evidence.
2019
McDonald’s Portugal withdraws “Sundae Bloody Sundae” promotion and apologizes
Company response
McDonald’s Portugal withdrew promotional material for a Halloween dessert campaign that used the slogan “Sundae Bloody Sundae” after the promotion drew backlash. The company apologized for any offense or distress caused by the campaign. The incident is noted as a controversy involving a promotional slogan that prompted criticism and led the brand to remove the material and issue an apology.
After backlash over a Halloween dessert promotion using the slogan “Sundae Bloody Sundae,” McDonald’s Portugal took down promotional material featuring it and apologized for any offense or distress caused.
Company response
Remediation — McDonald's Portugal
After a backlash, McDonald's Portugal took down all promotional material featuring the slogan.
Apology — McDonald's Portugal
We sincerely apologize for any offense or distress this may have caused.
Source excerpt
After a backlash, McDonald's Portugal took down all promotional material featuring the slogan.
We sincerely apologize for any offense or distress this may have caused.
McDonald's has pulled an ad which used the words "Sundae Bloody Sundae" to promote a Halloween dessert, apologizing for "any offense or distress" it may have caused.
2019
McDonald's Portugal apologizes over Halloween campaign slogan
Company response
McDonald's Portugal apologized for any offence or distress caused by its "Sundae Bloody Sundae" Halloween campaign slogan, stating that the campaign was not intended as an insensitive reference to a historical event. The company said the campaign had been pulled and related promotional material removed from its restaurants.
McDonald’s Portugal apologized for any offence or distress caused by its “Sundae Bloody Sundae” Halloween campaign slogan, saying the campaign was not intended as an insensitive reference to a historical event. It said the campaign had been pulled and related promotional material removed from its restaurants.
Stated objective. The campaign was intended as a celebration of Halloween.
Company response
Apology — McDonald’s Portugal
We sincerely apologise for any offence or distress this may have caused.
Remediation — McDonald’s Portugal
It said all related promotional material had now been removed from its restaurants.
Apology — McDonald's Portugal
We sincerely apologize for any offense or distress this may have caused.
Remediation — McDonald's Portugal
After a backlash, McDonald's Portugal took down all promotional material featuring the slogan.
Source excerpt
McDonald’s in Portugal has apologised for using the slogan “Sundae Bloody Sundae” in a Halloween campaign for its ice-cream puddings.
On Thursday it said the campaign had been pulled and it had never been intended as “an insensitive reference” to Bloody Sunday, when British paratroopers shot demonstrators at a civil rights march in the Bogside area of Derry, Northern Ireland, in January 1972.
After a backlash, McDonald's Portugal took down all promotional material featuring the slogan.
2019
Peruvian authorities fine Arcos Dorados over safety violations
Fine or penalty
Peruvian labor authorities fined Arcos Dorados up to 845,760 soles (approximately $250,000) after finding serious safety violations following the deaths of two workers at a McDonald's restaurant. The reported infractions included failure to provide safe working conditions and failure to report a death in a timely manner.
Source excerpt
The company closed its Peruvian outlets for two days following the deaths of its employees and said it is collaborating with investigators.
Among the other infractions found was a failure to provide safe working conditions, in terms of both the facilities and the equipment used, "specifically the soft drink dispensing machine." The Sunafil report said the company already knew the soda machine was damaged but "took no action."
Peruvian authorities on Thursday fined the local owner of a McDonald's franchise USD 250,000 for serious safety violations after two employees were electrocuted to death.
2019
Chicago McDonald’s workers sue over alleged workplace violence
Lawsuit filed
Seventeen employees at 13 McDonald’s restaurants in Chicago filed a lawsuit alleging the company failed to protect them from a pattern of workplace violence, including physical assault and sexual harassment. The claims are allegations in the lawsuit.
Source excerpt
A group of employees in Chicago has filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming that their employer has failed to protect them from a pattern of violence. The 17 employees work at 13 different McDonald’s restaurants across the city.
The workers say that Chicago police respond to more than 20 911 calls to the city’s McDonald’s on a daily basis, AP News reports. They also cited various instances of violence, which include physical assault and sexual harassment.