McDonald's faces sales slump, consumer boycott, and mounting criticism
McDonald's golden arches behind a throng of people taking photographs
U.S.A.: McDonald's has been absorbed in a chain of hurdles that have smeared its golden arches. Patrons resisted after the colossal fast-food chain noticeably increased its food prices during a time of spiralling inflation. The repercussion deepened when a brief E. coli epidemic hit several McDonald's outlets in October, throwing consumer confidence off-balance even further. Notwithstanding the introduction of new offers and menu changes, McDonald's saw its sales slide in several successive financial periods.
The descending trend persisted into 2025. In its first-quarter revenues statement, McDonald's indicated a 3.6% year-over-year decrease in U.S. equivalent sales. Operating income also dropped to 3%, and buyer foot traffic weakened by 2.6%, according to Placer.ai as reported recently in an article published by The Street. CEO Chris Kempczinski ascribed the low performance to a combination of commodity price increases, geopolitical pressures, and diminishing consumer preferences, calling it a rough atmosphere for the fast-food business. National boycott looms
Today, McDonald's is confronted with a new challenge — a nationwide boycott planned by activist group The People's Union USA . Slated to take place from June 24 to June 30, the boycott targets McDonald's for what the group describes as manipulative business practices and ethical flaws.
In a buzz-worthy Instagram post, the group's organiser, John Schwarz, charted five key criticisms. These include allegations that McDonald's has lower tax payments than many of its frontline employees, engages in price squeezing even with high earnings, and has an extensive record of anti-union behaviour. Schwarz also complained about the company's international supply chain practices, alluding to environmental ruin and run-down labour settings. Boycott movement gaining momentum
The People's Union USA has been stepping up its efforts to challenge corporate control via systematised economic embargoes. Since February, it has aimed at household names such as Walmart, Amazon, Target, and General Mills — and McDonald's is just the most recent addition to its growing list. The group asserts that its objective is to 'expose corruption and exploitation'.
With the looming boycott week, McDonald's will be confronted with more than just another sales plummet. It could have repercussions for its public image, labour practices, and customer relationships. See also Gyms and tuition centres replace Singapore cinemas amid closures
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Independent Singapore
4 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
McDonald's faces sales slump, consumer boycott, and mounting criticism
McDonald's golden arches behind a throng of people taking photographs U.S.A.: McDonald's has been absorbed in a chain of hurdles that have smeared its golden arches. Patrons resisted after the colossal fast-food chain noticeably increased its food prices during a time of spiralling inflation. The repercussion deepened when a brief E. coli epidemic hit several McDonald's outlets in October, throwing consumer confidence off-balance even further. Notwithstanding the introduction of new offers and menu changes, McDonald's saw its sales slide in several successive financial periods. The descending trend persisted into 2025. In its first-quarter revenues statement, McDonald's indicated a 3.6% year-over-year decrease in U.S. equivalent sales. Operating income also dropped to 3%, and buyer foot traffic weakened by 2.6%, according to as reported recently in an article published by The Street. CEO Chris Kempczinski ascribed the low performance to a combination of commodity price increases, geopolitical pressures, and diminishing consumer preferences, calling it a rough atmosphere for the fast-food business. National boycott looms Today, McDonald's is confronted with a new challenge — a nationwide boycott planned by activist group The People's Union USA . Slated to take place from June 24 to June 30, the boycott targets McDonald's for what the group describes as manipulative business practices and ethical flaws. In a buzz-worthy Instagram post, the group's organiser, John Schwarz, charted five key criticisms. These include allegations that McDonald's has lower tax payments than many of its frontline employees, engages in price squeezing even with high earnings, and has an extensive record of anti-union behaviour. Schwarz also complained about the company's international supply chain practices, alluding to environmental ruin and run-down labour settings. Boycott movement gaining momentum The People's Union USA has been stepping up its efforts to challenge corporate control via systematised economic embargoes. Since February, it has aimed at household names such as Walmart, Amazon, Target, and General Mills — and McDonald's is just the most recent addition to its growing list. The group asserts that its objective is to 'expose corruption and exploitation'. With the looming boycott week, McDonald's will be confronted with more than just another sales plummet. It could have repercussions for its public image, labour practices, and customer relationships. See also Gyms and tuition centres replace Singapore cinemas amid closures
CNA
5 hours ago
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Trump claims Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire – will it hold?
CNA938 Rewind Play US President Donald Trump announced a complete ceasefire between Israel and Iran, hours after Iran launched a retaliatory strike on a US air base in Qatar. The potential deal could end a 12-day war between the countries, with Iran winding down its missions first, followed by Israel 12 hours later. There's been no official confirmation of the agreement from Israel or Iran. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng chat with Mouin Rabbani, non-resident senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs. CNA938 Rewind - Trump claims Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire – will it hold? US President Donald Trump announced a complete ceasefire between Israel and Iran, hours after Iran launched a retaliatory strike on a US air base in Qatar. The potential deal could end a 12-day war between the countries, with Iran winding down its missions first, followed by Israel 12 hours later. There's been no official confirmation of the agreement from Israel or Iran. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng chat with Mouin Rabbani, non-resident senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs. 10 mins CNA938 Rewind - Open for Business: Is Malaysia's new sales tax on non-essentials necessary? From July 1st, Malaysia will impose a sales tax rate of 5 per cent or 10 per cent on non-essential and luxury goods, including salmon and imported fruits. The service tax will also be expanded to cover six new categories, including rental and leasing. But what necessitated it and how will it hit consumers both in Malaysia and shopping Singaporeans? Andrea Heng and Susan Ng chat to Cassey Lee, Economist, Senior Fellow and Coordinator for the Regional Economic Studies Programme at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute to find out more. 12 mins CNA938 Rewind - Malaysia's Booker Prize nominee Tash Aw discusses 'The South' – the first in a quartet of novels In 'Culture Club', Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Malaysian author Tash Aw, known for international bestsellers like 'The Harmony Silk Factory' and the longlisted Booker Prize novel 'Five Star Billionaire'. Twenty years after his debut title, Aw will talk about 2025's 'The South' which is a coming-of-age tale of teenager Jay Lim who – with his family – moves south of the Malaysian peninsula to a neglected farm that they have inherited. Aw will talk about the characters and era that propel the story and how 'The South' is the first in a quartet of novels. 39 mins
CNA
5 hours ago
- CNA
Shares rally, oil prices tumble as Trump announces Iran-Israel ceasefire
SYDNEY :Global shares rallied and the dollar extended declines on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire, sending oil prices into a deep dive as concerns over supply disruptions ebbed. Writing on his Truth Social site, Trump implied a ceasefire would go into effect in 12 hours, after which the war would be considered "ended". A senior Iranian official confirmed Tehran had agreed to the ceasefire with Israel. Israel's Channel 12 reported Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed in a conversation with Trump to a ceasefire as long as Iran stopped its attacks. Oil prices fell almost 4 per cent, having already slid 9 per cent on Monday when Iran made a token retaliation against a U.S. base, which came to nothing and signalled it was done for now. With the immediate threat to the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane seemingly over, U.S. crude futures fell another 3.4 per cent to $66.24 per barrel, the lowest since June 11. "To the extent that we've got a reduction in the risk of a renewed oil price spike, I think that plays positively from a risk point of view. I think it sort of removes that downside global growth risks," said Ray Attrill, head of FX strategy at the National Australia Bank. "I think that would encourage people in the view that maybe the U.S. dollar can sort of resume its downtrend here and that." Risk assets rallied, with S&P 500 futures up 0.5 per cent and Nasdaq futures 0.7 per cent higher. EUROSTOXX 50 futures jumped 1.1 per cent and FTSE futures rose 0.3 per cent. The MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 0.8 per cent while Japan's Nikkei rallied 1.3 per cent. News of the ceasefire saw the dollar extend an overnight retreat and slip 0.3 per cent to 145.70 yen, having come off a six-week high of 148 yen overnight. The euro rose 0.2 per cent to $1.1594 on Tuesday, having gained 0.5 per cent overnight. The yen and euro benefited from the slide in oil prices as both the EU and Japan rely heavily on imports of oil and liquefied natural gas, while the United States is a net exporter. Against its major peers, the U.S. dollar index slumped 0.6 per cent overnight and was last unchanged at 98.20. Ten-year Treasury yields rose 1 basis point to 4.353 per cent, while interest rate futures slipped as investors rowed back a little on expectations for rate cuts. The Treasury market had rallied on Monday after Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said the time to cut interest rates was getting nearer as risks to the job market may be on the rise. Fed Chair Jerome Powell will have his own chance to comment when appearing before Congress later on Tuesday and, so far, has been more cautious about a near-term easing. Markets still only imply around a 22 per cent chance the Fed will cut at its next meeting on July 30.
