McDonald's announces global effort to increase franchisee from underrepresented groups

QSR-chain McDonald’s has announced that it has further advanced its global diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) commitments with a focus on future franchisees around the world.

Building on its multi-year DEI planning and actions, the fast food chain has announced a franchisee recruitment initiative to increase the number of franchisees from all backgrounds, including historically underrepresented groups, in McDonald’s U.S. and all McDonald’s International Operated Markets.

“During a period of record performance, we must challenge ourselves – even more – to invest in the future,” said Chris Kempczinski, President & CEO, McDonald’s.

Worldwide, the effort – tailored for each market – will seek to increase ownership opportunities for new talent, both in terms of the number of individual restaurants owned as well as the number of qualified franchisees overall.

McDonald’s will commit $250 million in the U.S. over five years to provide alternatives to traditional financing, to help candidates – who may face socio-economic barriers – join the McDonald’s System.

To address the issue, the company will seek to reduce upfront equity requirements for eligible franchisee candidates. McDonald’s is also leveraging its network of banking partners to increase access to financing solutions that will reduce the barrier to entry for candidates. This program enables the Company to build on its strengths and continue to grow its already diverse franchisee base.

As of 2020, individuals from historically underrepresented groups, including those that identify as Asian, Black or Hispanic, accounted for 29.6% of all U.S. franchisees. Women also accounted for 28.9% of all U.S. franchisees.

“Access to capital continues to be a challenge in closing the wealth gap in the U.S. – particularly for minority entrepreneurs,” said Nicole Elam, President and CEO, National Bankers Association, which is working with minority-owned and -operated banks to help get capital to diverse entrepreneurs.

To attract additional qualified candidates, McDonald’s will significantly expand its franchisee recruiting and training efforts for all backgrounds.

Similar learning and development programs are available to new franchisees in McDonald’s International Operated Markets where markets such as France, Italy and Spain have built relationships with local business schools to create curriculum covering a range of topics to support new franchisee success as they grow and develop in the market.