The challenge: While McDonald’s wants to avoid politics, its franchisees have steered the brand right into hot-button political issues such as the US presidential election.
- Former President Donald Trump on Sunday held a photo-op in which he served supporters through the drive-thru window of a McDonald’s franchise in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, that was closed for regular business.
- That led the company to send an internal message that noted “McDonald’s does not endorse candidates for elected office and that remains true in this race for the next President,” per CNBC.