Have 1 in 8 Americans really worked at McDonald’s?

Oct 24, 2024
Donald Trump worked a recent shift at the fast-food giant, while Kamala Harris said she worked there when she was a college student.
Former President Donald Trump works behind the counter during a campaign event at a McDonald's on Oct. 20.
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Demand for crispy french fries has gotten a tad soggy

Oct 21, 2024
Lamb Weston, the Idaho-based maker of frozen potato products, has been struggling as of late.
The Idaho-based supplier of McDonald's french fries saw its stock price drop more than 30% at one point this year.
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Are McDonald’s collector cups worth more than the liquid assets inside?

Aug 27, 2024
McDonald's has released multiple cup collections over the years. We spoke to a memorabilia expert on whether you should buy, sell or hold.
McDonald's has released Collector's Edition Cups that feature characters like Grimace, Hello Kitty, Shrek and Barbie.
McDonald's USA, LLC

California's fast-food workers got a big pay hike. Franchise owners say they're struggling.

Aug 19, 2024
The state's $20-an-hour mandate pressures some outlets to raise prices and risk turning away low-income customers.
Jaylene Loubet, a McDonald’s cashier and fast-food worker advocate, says the pay boost helps cover her family's expenses.
Megan Jamerson/KCRW

McDonald's sales slipped. That may mean lower-income consumers feel pinched.

Jul 29, 2024
Reporting quarterly results, the fast-food company said customers "continue to be more intentional with the dollars they spend."
McDonald's weak results are prompting varied interpretations. Maybe consumers are tightening their budgets, or maybe they're moving higher up the food chain.
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Fast-food chains may need to offer more value meals to lure customers

May 13, 2024
McDonalds, KFC and Pizza Hut have reported soft sales as customers reject inflated prices. That means franchises have to get creative.
Fast-food restaurants hope that meal deals will bring back patrons who feel that eating out has become too expensive.
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The days of free refills may be over

May 13, 2024
McDonald’s announced that it would phase out its self-service machines by the end of 2032. More restaurants may follow suit.
Self-serve refill machines will be phased out at McDonald's by 2032.
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For public good, not for profit.

How expensive fast food can explain rising economic equality

Jan 17, 2024
Fast food workers' wages are up as much as 30% since 2020. That has had real costs for businesses, but real benefits for society.
In the fast food sector, where many workers in the bottom 10% of the income distribution are employed, wages went up by 5.7% when adjusted for inflation between 2020 and 2022, says Eric Levitz of Vox.
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For Russians, McDonald's was once a symbol of modernity. Its closing feels like a step backward.

Mar 23, 2022
When the golden arches opened, Russians marveled at how it differed from local restaurants: friendly service and plastic packaging.
When McDonald's opened in Moscow in 1990, Russians looked at it as "a window to a different world," says Konstantin Sonin, a University of Chicago professor who grew up in Russia. Above, the Pushkin Square restaurant.
AFP via Getty Images

For global brands, pulling out of Russia isn't a yes-or-no question

Mar 8, 2022
Logistics, business models and a fear of Russians' reactions are all factors.
The Kremlin's towers are reflected in the window of a McDonald's restaurant in Moscow. The chain said Tuesday that it would temporarily close its Russian locations.
Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images