McDonald's Corp (NYSE:MCD, ETR:MDO) has joined the growing list of major US corporations that are rowing back on diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) commitments.
Highlighting an “evolving landscape” around DEI and specifically a US Supreme Court ruling in 2023, the fast food giant said it was scrapping diversity goals in senior management positions.
Programmes to encourage diversity have also been culled with the diversity team now as the “Global Inclusion Team”.
In an open letter, Chris Kempczinski MacDonald’s chairman and chief executive said that despite the apparent U-turn “McDonald’s position and our commitment to inclusion is steadfast.”
Right-wing commentators leapt on the announcement with anti-DEI activist Robby Starbuck calling it his first “corporate flip” of 2025.
He has claimed it was his pressure that forced changes to policy at Walmart and Ford and said he contacted McDonald's on Friday to follow suit.
President-elect Donald Trump is a vocal DEI critic and has promised to make reversing current president Joe Biden’s advocacy of DEI a priority when he takes over.
In 2020, McDonald’s established “aspirational goals” to boost the number of women and underrepresented groups in senior executive positions.