McDonald’s: Relocation not tax-based
TEXT OF STORY
Bill Radke: Switzerland is known for chocolate, cheese, and now hamburgers. McDonald’s announced over the weekend it’s moving its European headquarters to Switzerland. Analysts say high taxes are driving the fast food giant out of Britain. From London, Stephen Beard has more.
Stephen Beard: McDonalds is the latest large American corporation to join the mini-exodus out of the U.K. Kraft, Proctor & Gamble, Colgate Palmolive and Yahoo have made the move within the last couple of years. They’ve all relocated their European headquarters from London to Geneva.
McDonald’s insists it is not trying to dodge taxes. But many observers say the decision must be tax-related.
Matthew Sinclair is spokesman for the Taxpayers Alliance. He says there’s been a recent change here in the treatment of income from trademarks, patents and franchises. McDonald’s must be worried.
Matthew Sinclair: A lot of their earnings come from intellectual property which is sold to franchisees. And that is facing a particular threat of double taxation if they have their European headquarters in the U.K.
McDonald’s European business is critically important to the company. Its sales are growing here much faster than in the U.S.
In London, this is Stephen Beard for Marketplace.
Stories You Might Like
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
