Some of McDonald's markets in the Middle East and some outside the region are experiencing a "significant business impact" because of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as "related misinformation" about the brand, Chief Executive Officer Chris Kempczynski said.
Major Western fast-food chains, including McDonald's and Starbucks, have seen largely spontaneous citizen boycott campaigns over their perceived pro-Israel stance and alleged financial ties to Israel, CNN reported.
Kempczynski said the misinformation surrounding brands like McDonald's was "disheartening and unfounded." In a post on LinkedIn, he stated:
"In every country we operate in, including Muslim countries, McDonald's is proudly represented by local owner operators who work tirelessly to serve and support their communities, employing thousands of their fellow citizens."
In October, McDonald's Israel announced on its social media accounts that it had provided thousands of free meals to Israeli Defense Force personnel.
McDonald's franchises in some Muslim countries later dropped it, underscoring the polarized regional politics that global corporations navigate in times of war.
Some of the Western brands are feeling the impact of the boycotts in Egypt and Jordan, which have now spread to some countries outside the Arab region, including Malaysia, which has a Muslim majority.
As of fiscal 2022, the company franchises and operates approximately 40,275 McDonald's restaurants in more than 100 countries. The fast food chain reported total annual revenues of $23.18 billion last year./BGNES
