This Tuesday marked the start of a new boycott against McDonald’s, the largest fast-food chain in the United States. The protest, organized by People’s Union USA, urges consumers to avoid making purchases at the chain’s locations. Here’s why the boycott was launched and how long it is expected to last.
Why Was the Boycott Against McDonald’s Organized?
People’s Union USA, led by John Schwarz, began organizing a series of “economic blackouts” in February in response to the rollback of corporate commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
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One of the companies singled out was McDonald’s, which in January decided to scale back some of its DEI initiatives, citing a “changing landscape around DEI.” The company stopped setting goals to increase diversity in its executive leadership and ended a program designed to promote supplier diversity.
When Will the McDonald’s Boycott Take Place?
According to John Schwarz, the boycott will run from June 24 to June 30. However, the protest doesn’t end there—another boycott against McDonald’s and other companies is expected to take place in August.
How Will the Boycott Affect McDonald’s?
McDonald’s is facing a challenging outlook after acknowledging that boycotts have impacted its first-quarter performance, although the company has not been able to quantify the exact effect. The current boycott, unfolding this week, comes at a particularly difficult time for the fast-food giant.
Amid an economic downturn, U.S. sales dropped sharply in the first three months of the year—the steepest decline in its domestic market since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This occurred despite efforts to win back customers through menu changes and promotions following price hikes.
Upcoming Boycotts Scheduled in the United States
The boycott against McDonald’s is not the only one planned in the U.S. People’s Union USA has published a protest calendar on its website, outlining several economic boycotts targeting major corporations such as Amazon, Walmart, and Starbucks. Here is the upcoming boycott schedule:
- July 4: Economic blackout
- July 1–31: Boycott of Starbucks, Amazon, and Home Depot
- August 1–31: Boycott of Walmart, McDonald’s, and Lowe’s
What is People’s Union USA?
People’s Union USA presents itself on its website as a grassroots movement dedicated to promoting economic resistance, justice for the working class, and corporate accountability. Unlike a political party, this movement seeks to represent all people, regardless of their background, beliefs, or political affiliation.
Its main goal is to unite ordinary citizens in the fight against greed and corruption, which it claims have caused division, distraction, and hardship among the population for decades. More than a partisan organization, People’s Union USA defines itself as an inclusive platform that aims to empower people in the face of economic power abuses. Its core message appeals to unity, the dignity of labor, and the need for real change that benefits those who have historically been marginalized by the dominant economic system.
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How many McDonald’s are there in the United States?
Currently, the company has 13,598 restaurants in 54 states of the United States.
History of McDonald’s
In 1954, Ray Kroc had the opportunity to visit a small restaurant in San Bernardino, California, owned by brothers Dick and Mac McDonald. Although the place was simple, Kroc was amazed by the remarkable efficiency with which it operated. The McDonald brothers had designed a streamlined menu that only included burgers, fries, and drinks, which allowed them to maintain high standards of quality and offer fast service.
When Kroc learned that the brothers were looking for a new franchisee, he saw a great business opportunity. In 1955, he founded McDonald’s System, Inc., which would later become McDonald’s Corporation. Six years later, he acquired the exclusive rights to the McDonald’s name and operating system.
In 1958, the chain celebrated a major milestone: the sale of 100 million hamburgers. Today, McDonald’s is one of the most recognized fast food brands globally, with over 36,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries around the world.
