McDonald’s CEO, Chris Kempczinski on Thursday said 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 businesses have greatly suffered as grassroots boycott campaigns from across the globe continue to call for ceasefire in the war.
However, Kempczinski said the misinformation surrounding brands like McDonald’s was “disheartening and ill-founded,” as most brands are being run by the citizens of countries they operate in, including in Muslim countries.
“In every country where we operate, including in Muslim countries, McDonald’s is proudly represented by local owner operators who work tirelessly to serve and support their communities while employing thousands of their fellow citizens,” Kempczinski said in a LinkedIn post.
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.
In South Africa, civic societies and political parties called for the ban of all Israel brands including McDonald in their country.
As of 2022, McDonald franchised and operated about 40,275 restaurants across more than 100 countries with an annual revenue of $23.18 billion in the year.
By Desmond Nleya, Daily Times Reporter
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