McDonald's
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OVERALL |
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Owned |
USA |
Rating |
N/A |
Fast food chain
McDonald's is the world's #1 fast-food company by sales, with more than 32,500 of its flagship restaurants serving burgers and fries in more than 115 countries. About 20% of its locations are company-owned, the others are run by franchisees.
McDonald's Corporation | USA | website |
Company Assessment
PRAISE | CRITICISM | INFORMATION | ||
McDonald's Corporation | ||||
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "Good" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA (2023)
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Source: Human Rights Campaign (2021) |
This company appears on Global Exchange's list of "Most Wanted" Corporate Human Rights Violators "Alums" for limited (and relatively non-transparent) environmental policies; unethical marketing to children; and lack of willingness to reform worker wages.
Source: Global Exchange (2018)
Chickens killed for McDonald's are slaughtered using an outdated method that results in extreme suffering. As one of the biggest sellers of chicken meat, McDonald's has the responsibility'and the ability'to reduce this abuse by demanding that its U.S. and Canadian suppliers use a less cruel slaughter method.
Source: Peta (2015)
The Pecking Order is a 2018 report by World Animal Protection which grades global fast food giants against three criteria for chicken welfare: policies, targets and reporting. This company's overall chicken welfare rating is 'very poor'.
Source: World Animal Protection (2018)
Chickens used by McDonald's are among the most abused animals on the planet. Bred to grow so large so fast, they often can't walk without pain. Hundreds of brands-including Burger King, Starbucks, Subway, Jack in the Box, and Denny's-have committed to banning the cruelest practices inflicted on chickens. McDonald's has not.
Source: Mercy for Animals (2019)
Corporate Accountability criticises McDonalds for creating strong incentives for corporate consolidation in agriculture, predatory marketing, a false veneer of health, and manipulating public policy.
Source: Corporate Accountability (2020)
In 2022 the median pay for a worker at this company was US$14,521. The CEO was paid 1,224 times this amount. Exorbitant CEO pay is a major contributor to rising inequality. CEOs are getting more because of their power to set pay, not because they are increasing productivity or possess specific, high-demand skills. The economy would suffer no harm if CEOs were paid less (or taxed more). In contrast, the CEO-to-typical-worker compensation ratio was 20-to-1 in 1965 and 58-to-1 in 1989.
Source: AFL-CIO (2023)
JUST Capital polls Americans every year to identify the issues that matter most in defining just business behaviour. For their 2024 rankings the public identified 20 issues, which are organised under the headings Workers, Communities, Customers, Shareholders and Environment. JUST Capital then define metrics that map to those issues and track and analyse the largest, publicly traded U.S. companies. This analysis powers their rankings, in which this company ranked 762nd of 937 companies, and 27th of 37 Restaurants & Leisure companies.
Source: JUST Capital (2024)
In 2018 volunteers collected and catalogued more than 187,000 pieces of trash from beach cleanups around the world to find out which corporations are contributing the most to the global plastic pollution problem. While not in the top 10, this company ranked as one of the world's worst plastic polluters.
Source: #breakfreefromplastic (2018)
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 11.36/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE (2023)
As You Sow's 2021 Corporate Plastic Pollution Scorecard ranks companies on plastic packaging pollution. The study measures the progress of 50 large companies in the beverage, quick-service restaurant, consumer packaged goods, and retail sectors on six core pillars where swift action is needed to reduce plastic pollution: 1) Packaging Design, 2) Reusable Packaging, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Public Data Transparency, 5) Support for Recycling, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of D-
Source: As You Sow (2021)
Potato fields cover the landscape in central and northern Minnesota, stretching for miles in all directions. Almost all of the potatoes grown in this area are produced by a company called RDO. RDO is the largest potato producer in the world, and one the major suppliers of the potatoes used for McDonald's french fries. The pesticide drift from these farms are harming local communities and their environment.
Source: Toxic Taters (2015)
This company appeared on Global Exchange's list of "10 Top Corporate Criminals of 2016" for unfair pay practices.
Source: Global Exchange (2016)
In 2021 the Mind the Store campaign ranked 50 of the largest retailers in North America on their efforts to eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer products. This company received a grade of D.
Source: Mind the Store (2021)
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 16.1%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2022)
The 2023 Gender Benchmark ranks 112 companies from the apparel and food and agriculture sectors on their efforts to drive gender equality and women's empowerment across their entire value chain. Companies are assessed on governance and strategy, representation, compensation and benefits, health and well-being, violence and harassment, and marketplace and community. This company ranked #74/112, with a total score of 17.9%. The average score was 23% and the highest score was 55%.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2023)
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of D.
Source: CDP (2023)
This company scores Ethical Consumer's worst rating for the likely use of tax avoidance strategies, and has at least two high risk subsidiaries in tax havens.
Source: Ethical Consumer (2022)
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 23/100 in the Restaurants & Leisure Facilities category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 18 Nov 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2022) |
This 2006 investigative report by China Labour Watch reveals how workers at Merton's Chinese factory typically work for 11 hours a day and 6 days a week. The total overtime hours go up to 70 hours a month, breaking Chinese law. 50% of Merton's products (toys) are manufactured for McDonald's. See report for further examples of worker exploitation. [Listed under information due to age of report]
Source: China Labor Watch (2006)
This 2015 investigative report by China Labour Watch found that poor working conditions in Chinese toy factories continue. This company was among those implicated in the report. Labor abuses such as low wages and excessive overtime are still widespread, with very little improvement in working conditions over time.
Source: China Labor Watch (2015)
In 2016 this company agreed to pay US$3.75 million to settle a proposed wage-and-hour class action three months after a Californian judge ruled a franchise owner's settlement in the case did not get the parent company out of the claims.
Source: Business Insider (2016)
The 2015 report 'Golden Dodges: How McDonald's Avoids Paying its Fair Share of Tax', by a coalition of global trade unions reveals that McDonald's appears to have taken advantage of corporate tax loopholes to avoid paying up to US $1.8 billion in tax between 2009 and 2013 including 1 billion Euros in Europe and AU $497 million in Australia.
Source: PSI (2015)
This company received a score of 44.3/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek (2017)
As You Sow's 2019 report, 'The 100 Most Overpaid CEOs', reveals the 100 most overpaid CEOs from USA's 500 largest public companies (as determined by the S&P 500 list). This company's CEO, Stephen J. Easterbrook came in at number 64 on the list, having been paid US$21,761,052 in 2018. According to the report, "Most CEOs have come to be grossly overpaid, and that overpayment is harmful to the companies, the shareholders, the customers, the other employees, the economy, and society as a whole."
Source: As You Sow (2019)
In June 2011 McDonald's announced that from October all of McDonald's Filet-O-Fish in Europe will be Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified.
Source: MSC (2011)
This company sells Rainforest Alliance certified coffee and tea exclusively in selected countries. However this only represents a fraction of this company's globl coffee and tea sales. Rainforest Alliance certification has been dubbed 'Fairtrade light' by critics, as it offers producers no minimum price for their crop, and guarantees a minimum of just 30% of the product is certified.
Source: Rainforest Alliance (2020)
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
Source: We Mean Business (2021)
Identified in 'The Big Chill: Too Scared to Speak' report which identified Chinese Olympic Sponsors response to Darfur crisis in Sudan. Received a C+ for taking a private action, of which it showed evidence to the campaign.
Source: Dream for Dafur (2008)
Compassion in World Farming is a UK-based organisation which works with the European food industry to encourage and reward commitment, transparency, performance and innovation in the field of animal welfare. McDonald's Europe won their Good Egg Award in 2008 for committing to source only cage-free eggs across their entire European outlets by 2012.
Source: Compassion in World Farming (2008)
Compassion in World Farming is a UK-based organisation which works with the European food industry to encourage and reward commitment, transparency, performance and innovation in the field of animal welfare. McDonald's Europe won their Good Sow Commendation in 2013 in recognition of their commitment to improve the welfare of breeding sows.
Source: Compassion in World Farming (2013)
In 2015 McDonalds announced a firm timeline for eliminating the cage confinement of egg-laying chickens from its US and Canadian supply chains, by switching to 100 percent cage-free eggs. This follows a 2012 pledge to eliminate gestation crates - small cages used to confine breeding pigs - from its pork supply chains by 2022.
Source: Humane Society of the US (2015)
This company is a member of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB), who's stated mission is to advance continuous improvement in sustainability of the global beef value chain through leadership, science and multi-stakeholder engagement and collaboration. However the GSRB has been criticised by a group of NGOs for its failure to address misuse of antibiotics and animal welfare concerns, among other things (http://bit.ly/1xWw5pV).
Source: GRSB (2017)
This company is a participant in WWF's Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN), which seeks to mainstream the principles of responsible forest management and sustainable trade throughout the global forest products industry, by providing technical assistance and fostering linkages between committed companies. Independent forest certification is a key tool in this process.
Source: WWF (2019)
This company is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, the main food industry initiative supporting the development of sustainable agriculture worldwide. Created by Nestle, Unilever and Danone in 2002, the SAI Platform is a non-profit organization to facilitate sharing, at precompetitive level, of knowledge and initiatives to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices involving the different stakeholders of the food chain.
Source: SAI Platform (2023)
This company has claims on its website under the heading of 'Our Planet' in the areas of climate action, packaging and waste, sustainable agriculture, conserving forests and water stewardship.
Source: company website (2021)
This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.
Source: How2Recycle (2023)
The WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2021 assesses 227 companies on the actions companies have taken to ensure their own palm oil supply chain is sustainable and free of deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuse. This company is rated 'middle of the pack' with a score of 13.41 out of a possible total of 24.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard (2021)
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 47%.
Source: Forest 500 (2022)
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests score of C.
Source: CDP (2023)
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of C.
Source: CDP (2023)
This company is a member of the ICTI Ethical Toy Program, the global standard for ethical toy manufacture. The Ethical Toy Program focuses on social sustainability issues which impact well-being of workers involved in toy manufacture globally. However human rights groups including SOMO and China Labor Watch have criticised the Program, with investigators finding serious labour rights violations occurring in ICTI-certified factories.
Source: ICTI Ethical Toy Program (2020)
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre digital platform presents news and allegations relating to the human rights impact of over 20,000 companies. Their enhanced Company Dashboards also include financial information, key data points based on corporate policies, and scores from prominent civil society benchmarks. Follow the link and use the search function to view this company's dashboard.
Source: BHRRC (2022)
Chain Reaction V is a 2019 report released by a group of American advocacy groups which ranks America's top restaurant chains on their policies relating to antibiotic use in their beef supply chains. This company received a 'C' grade.
Source: NRDC (2019)
The 2021 Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) report ranks global food companies on how they are managing and reporting their farm animal welfare policies and practices. This company appeared in tier 4, "Making progress on implementation", with tier 1 being the best, and tier 6 the worst.
Source: BBFAW (2021)
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
Source: Open Secrets (2020)
The 2021 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #68/350, with a total score of 33.1/100.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2021)
Website documenting the famous McLibel trial, which ended in 1997. It was a public relations disaster for McDonalds. Last updated 2005.
Source: McSpotlight (2005)
The Corporate Research Project's Corporate Rap Sheets are dossiers summarising the most significant crimes, violations and other questionable activities of the world's largest and most controversial companies. Follow link to see this company's Corporate Rap Sheet. McDonald's "has been widely criticized for contributing to the rise in obesity and other diet-related public health problems... McDonald's has also been criticized for its labor practices. It has fought unionization in many countries and pays the lowest wages it can get away with. In the United States it is one of the largest employers of minimum-wage workers."
Source: Corporate Research Project (2018) |
Company Details
Type | Public company |
Revenue | 21 billion USD (2019) |
Employees | 210,000 (2018) |
Subsidiaries | McDonald's Australia Ltd
Fast food retail |
Contact Details
Address | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
Website | www.mcdonalds.com |