McDonald's Implements Civil Rights Audit with Owner Focus Groups
McDonald's will conduct virtual focus groups with franchise owners and operators as part of an ongoing civil rights audit. The fast food giant hired the WilmerHale law firm to examine its practices, aiming to determine if its policies have an adverse impact on stakeholders such as franchisees, employees, suppliers, and customers. Perception Strategies will partner with WilmerHale to conduct a Climate and Belonging Assessment, inviting randomly selected franchisees to participate in one-hour virtual focus groups. The process is voluntary, and identities will not be shared with McDonald's. The audit follows changes to McDonald's franchising structure and restaurant grading system, as well as lawsuits alleging racial discrimination by current and former Black franchisees and media mogul Byron Allen.