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The corporation announced it will be "retiring setting aspirational representation goals," ceasing DEI requirements for its suppliers, and "pausing external surveys" focused on inclusion
McDonald's is the latest and one of the largest companies to announce that it will be rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
The corporation announced in a statement Monday that it will be making several changes to its practices, including "retiring setting aspirational representation goals," ceasing DEI requirements for its suppliers, and "pausing external surveys" focused on inclusion, including the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The company also said it will be changing the name of its diversity team to the Global Inclusion Team, which it said it "more fitting for McDonald’s in light of our inclusion value."
McDonald's stated that it was motivated to make the changes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, as it "assessed the shifting legal landscape to anticipate how this ruling may impact corporations such as McDonald’s."
The company also said that it considered the actions of other corporations that have cut DEI efforts, some of which include Walmart and John Deere, and "benchmarked our approach to other companies who are also re-evaluating their own programs."
Several major U.S. businesses announced they would be ending their DEI programs in the past year, including Ford Motor Company, Harley-Davidson, Molson Coors, Lowe’s, and Tractor Supply, among others. The decisions came after pressure from conservative extremists online, including failed filmmaker turned failed congressional candidate Robby Starbuck, who has taken credit for the companies' decisions. However, experts believe that Starbuck's pressure alone does not explain the shift.
While McDonald's has opted not to participate in the CEI, a spokesperson for the HRC told The Advocate that the company "will continue to be listed in the CEI regardless of active participation," as that is the rule for all Fortune 500 companies. RaShawn Hawkins, Senior Director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, emphasized the importance of DEI efforts, including the CEI – which more companies are participating in today than ever, despite the public push back.
“The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index was created at a time when folks could be fired just because of who they are," Hawkins told The Advocate. "Since then, we’ve seen immense progress from family formation benefits to safeguarding against blatant discrimination at all levels of the workplace."
"When companies are transparent and open about their commitment to workplace inclusion policies, it only helps to attract and retain top talent – which is why the 2025 CEI has record participation from more than 1,400 companies," Hawkins continued. "There's no changing the fact that with 30 percent of Gen Z identifying as LGBTQ+ and the community holding $1.4 trillion in spending power, commitments to inclusion are directly tied to long-term business growth. Those who abandon these commitments are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders."
The Advocate has reached out to McDonald's for comment.
Editor's note: McDonald's is a sponsor of Out100 by equalpride, the parent company of The Advocate.
