Latest news with #ThePeoplesUnionUSA
Independent Singapore
8 hours ago
- Business
- 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
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
A McDonald's boycott starts soon. Here's why people are boycotting the restaurant
A McDonald's boycott is planned for June 24-30, the latest in a string of boycotts organized by the grassroots advocacy group The People's Union USA. Led by John Schwarz, The People's Union began organizing boycotts of specific companies in late February. Although their blackouts started at a similar time as other boycotts targeting companies that rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Schwarz told The Arizona Republic that the actions of The People's Union USA are influenced, but not caused by, companies' DEI stances. "The mission of The People's Union USA is to hold corporations and corrupt systems accountable, not with violence or empty promises, but with the one thing that actually affects them, the money we spend," Schwarz said via email. In a June 19 Instagram post, Schwarz laid out a series of reasons for the boycott. "They practice performative DEI with no meaningful change. They prioritize profit over people, community, and truth," the list stated. "They exploit tax loopholes and do not pay their fair share." McDonald's is one of over 30 companies that have rolled back DEI policies after the Supreme Court's ruling striking down affirmative action. The company dropped "aspirational representation goals," stopped external diversity surveys and changed the name of its diversity team to "Global Inclusion Team," according to a Jan. 6 memo. In 2022, McDonald's paid $1.3 billion to settle a tax dispute in France that alleged the company had illegally diverted income to other countries. Schwarz shared a flyer on social media that lays out a series of upcoming boycotts: 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 Reach the reporter at Follow @reia_reports on Instagram. The source of the boycotts: These 30 companies rolled back DEI policies, from Amazon to Victoria's Secret This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: McDonald's boycott 2025: Here's why people are boycotting
