Over the weekend, McDonald’s Corporation found itself at the center of political conversation when it hosted former President Donald Trump at one of its Pennsylvania locations.
Trump, who is currently the Republican presidential nominee, made a surprise appearance at a McDonald’s in suburban Philadelphia on Sunday, where he worked the fry station and answered questions through the drive-thru window.
The restaurant was closed to the public for the visit, but the event has stirred up reactions across the political spectrum.
In response to growing interest, McDonald’s clarified its position, emphasizing that the company is not endorsing any candidate in the U.S. presidential race.
“McDonald’s does not endorse candidates for elected office and that remains true in this race for the next president. We are not red or blue – we are golden,“ the company stated in a message to its employees obtained by The Associated Press on Monday.
The message also highlighted that the event came about after the restaurant’s owner-operator, Derek Giacomantonio, reached out upon learning of Trump’s desire to visit one of the chain’s Pennsylvania stores.
McDonald’s explained its decision to host Trump through the lens of its corporate values. “Upon learning of the former president’s request, we approached it through the lens of one of our core values: we open our doors to everyone,” the message read.
McDonald’s emphasized that their doors are open to all, regardless of political affiliation.
Interestingly, the company also revealed that its franchisees have extended similar invitations to other political candidates.
McDonald’s said franchisees have also invited Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, to their restaurants.
It is unclear if Harris or Walz will accept these invitations, and the Harris campaign has yet to respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
McDonald’s has found itself indirectly involved in the 2024 election cycle, even though the company insists it has not sought out political attention.
Vice President Harris has frequently recalled working at McDonald’s during her college years, sharing her experiences on the campaign trail.
However, Trump has cast doubt on her story, claiming—without providing evidence—that Harris is lying about her time at the fast-food giant.
McDonald’s chose to sidestep this issue in its communication with employees, stating that it is proud of Harris’s memories of her time working for the chain.
The company said it is proud of “Harris’s fond memories working under the arches” and noted the often-cited figure that 1 in 8 Americans works at McDonald’s at some point.
As news of Trump’s McDonald’s appearance spread, some backlash emerged on social media.
Google searches for “boycott McDonald’s” surged briefly on Monday morning, with some Twitter users vowing to avoid the chain after hosting the former president.
While Trump remains a highly polarizing figure, McDonald’s emphasized that the event was not an endorsement, and it remains to be seen if any lasting impact will arise from the backlash.
Marketing experts have weighed in on the situation, noting that hosting a political figure as controversial as Trump could be risky for a brand as large as McDonald’s.
Chris Hydock, a marketing professor at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business, said that authorizing the visit was a risky move for McDonald’s.
Hydock explained that brands associated with divisive figures or positions often face strong reactions from customers who disagree with those figures.
While small businesses might benefit from taking a divisive stance due to increased attention, large companies like McDonald’s are already so well-known that the risk of alienating customers could outweigh any potential gain.
“Trump working at McDonald’s can’t attract more customers,“ Hydock said. “All it can end up doing is pissing some people off.“
Despite the concerns, some industry professionals believe the event will not result in long-term damage to the McDonald’s brand.
Lori Rosen, president of the public relations firm Rosen Group, said McDonald’s won’t likely see long-term damage from the event.
The fast-food giant has weathered controversies in the past and remains one of the most recognizable brands globally, making it unlikely that this singular event will have a lasting effect on its customer base.
As the election season heats up, McDonald’s has made clear that while its doors are open to all, it does not take sides in political matters.
For now, the company appears focused on staying neutral, even as it navigates the complex intersection of business and politics.
