McDonald’s Scales Back Diversity Commitments Amid Policy Shift
Four years after launching a push for greater diversity, McDonald’s is scaling back some of its initiatives, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision that struck down affirmative action in college admissions.
The fast-food giant joins other major corporations like Walmart, John Deere, and Harley-Davidson in reevaluating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs amidst conservative backlash and shifting legal landscapes.
On Monday, McDonald’s announced it would retire specific diversity targets for senior leadership and end a supplier program that encouraged diversity training and the promotion of minorities into leadership roles. Additionally, the company said it would pause participation in external surveys, including the Human Rights Campaign’s annual workplace inclusion survey for LGBTQ+ employees.
These changes come after McDonald’s introduced its diversity goals in 2021, following several high-profile lawsuits, including sexual harassment claims and allegations of racial discrimination from Black former franchise owners. At the time, CEO Chris Kempczinski emphasized the company’s commitment to measurable progress, diversity, and inclusion as a business imperative.
However, McDonald’s leadership stated Monday that the Supreme Court’s ruling and actions by other companies prompted a reassessment of its policies. Despite retiring some initiatives, the company reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a diverse workforce, noting that 30% of its U.S. leaders are from underrepresented groups—up from 29% in 2021, with a previous goal of reaching 35% by the end of 2023.
McDonald’s highlighted some successes in its diversity efforts, including achieving gender pay equity and nearing its target of allocating 25% of supplier spending to diverse-owned businesses by the end of this year.
Moving forward, the company’s diversity efforts will be led by its rebranded “Global Inclusion Team,” which will continue reporting demographic data and supporting diverse employees, suppliers, and franchisees.
