McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said on Thursday that several markets in the Middle East and some outside the region were experiencing a "meaningful business impact" due to the Israel-Hamas conflict as well as "associated misinformation" about the brand. Major Western fast-food chains including McDonald's and Starbucks have seen largely spontaneous, grassroots boycott campaigns over their perceived pro-Israeli stance and alleged financial ties to Israel. In October, McDonald's Israel said on its social media accounts that it had given thousands of free meals to Israel Defense Forces personnel. This was later renounced by McDonald's franchises in some Muslim countries, highlighting the polarized regional politics that global corporations navigate during war. As of fiscal 2022, the company franchised and operated about 40,275 McDonald's restaurants across more than 100 countries.

Source: Irish Examiner January 05, 2024 17:53 UTC