In a bold shift announced on Jan. 6, McDonald’s decided to move away from their established focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to concentrate solely on “global inclusion.” The decision marked a noteworthy change in strategy, ending their specific representation goals, suspending external DEI surveys, and withdrawing DEI commitments within their supply chain. This pivot followed a comprehensive Civil Rights Audit conducted the previous year, as well as extensive consultations with shareholders to align mutual expectations and evaluate shareholder proposals.
McDonald’s new approach includes renaming their diversity team to the Global Inclusion Team, a move aimed at reflecting the evolving objectives and broader scope of the team’s work. The company underscored that this rebranding effort better encapsulates their operational and cultural aspirations. The recurring theme in their communication emphasizes a wider inclusion framework, asserting that everyone is welcome under their iconic golden arches. McDonald’s positions this change as more congruent with their international footprint and brand ethos.
Integral to the new strategy is McDonald’s franchise model, which the company believes plays a crucial role in community outreach and local empowerment. By leveraging the franchise system, McDonald’s aims to build stronger community ties and create opportunities that echo its expanded definition of inclusion. This move is part of a growing corporate trend to reframe traditional DEI efforts, with many organizations gravitating towards terms like “belonging” or “culture” to better describe their renewed focus.
This shift signifies a broader revaluation within the corporate world, where the influence of shareholders in shaping inclusion policies is becoming more pronounced. McDonald’s insists that the transition to a Global Inclusion initiative aligns better with their strategic goals and holistic brand identity. While significant changes like these often spark debate, McDonald’s remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment within its operational model.
Ultimately, McDonald’s rebranding towards Global Inclusion was part of a larger corporate trend of reassessing and updating DEI efforts. The company believed that this new direction would continue to nurture an inclusive atmosphere and resonated more naturally with its iconic brand and operational strategies.
