McDonald’s is ending several of its diversity and inclusion initiatives, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to outlaw affirmative action in college admissions.
The fast-food chain announced Monday that it will eliminate specific goals for increasing diversity in senior leadership roles. It will also discontinue a program aimed at encouraging its suppliers to enhance minority representation in their leadership teams and implement diversity training.
McDonald’s said it would pause its participation in “external surveys,” though it did not provide details. Similar moves have been made by other corporations, including Lowe’s and Ford Motor Co., which recently suspended their involvement in the Human Rights Campaign’s workplace inclusion survey for LGBTQ+ employees.
The company launched its diversity initiatives in 2021 after a series of lawsuits, including sexual harassment claims from employees and racial discrimination allegations from a group of Black former franchise owners.
Those lawsuits had put pressure on McDonald’s to address inequities within its ranks and operations.
McDonald’s joins a growing list of companies adjusting their diversity policies following the Supreme Court ruling and increased criticism of DEI programs. Last year, Walmart, John Deere, and Harley-Davidson also rolled back similar efforts.
The decision highlights a broader corporate retreat from diversity goals in the face of shifting legal and political landscapes.