Fast-food giant McDonald’s is temporarily shutting down its US offices ahead of an anticipated announcement on corporate job cuts. The Wall Street Journal reported that McDonald’s has instructed US and some international staff to work from home so that it can deliver decisions on jobs remotely. The burger chain has not disclosed how many positions will be affected. The job cuts are part of a broader corporate reorganisation announced by McDonald’s in January. At the time, the company’s CEO, Chris Kempczinski, stated that McDonald’s was hindered by an “outdated and self-limiting” structure.
The Wall Street Journal stated that it had seen a message from the company indicating that “During the week of April 3, we will communicate key decisions related to roles and staffing levels across the organization.” Additionally, McDonald’s has asked its employees to cancel all in-person meetings at its headquarters.
In January, McDonald’s issued a memo warning of “difficult discussions and decisions ahead,” indicating that it would assess corporate staffing levels by April. The memo also stated that the proposed cuts, which aim to accelerate plans for new restaurants, would assist the company to “move faster as an organization, while reducing our global costs and freeing up resources to invest in our growth.”
McDonald’s employs roughly 200,000 people in corporate positions and its owned restaurants, with 75% of them outside the United States. The Chicago-based company operates in over 160 countries worldwide. The company reported a 10.9% increase in sales last year, with US sales up 5.9%. Nonetheless, McDonald’s has stated that its profits overseas have been negatively impacted by the strength of the dollar.
In conclusion, McDonald’s is temporarily closing its US offices, and its employees have been asked to work remotely so that the company can deliver decisions on corporate job cuts. The company has not disclosed how many positions will be affected, but this move is part of a broader reorganisation announced by McDonald’s in January. The company’s CEO stated that McDonald’s was hindered by an “outdated and self-limiting” structure, and the proposed cuts are intended to accelerate plans for new restaurants and allow the company to “move faster as an organization, while reducing our global costs and freeing up resources to invest in our growth.”
