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Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon The Dow, all-timeThe average was created by Charles Dow in 1896 with just 12 industrial stocks. Paired with the Dow Jones Transportation Average , the two were collectively meant to offer a gauge for the broader economy. The sole caveat: No utility or transportation stocks are included, given the existence of the Dow Jones Utility Average and Transportation Average. 1972: Dow hits 1,000It may be hard to imagine given the recent achievement, but the Dow traded below 1,000 until the early 1970s. The Dow saw its worst year since 2008 in 2022, though 2023's rebound allowed the index to erase those losses.

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Customers in the Middle East were angered after McDonald’s Israel – which is operated by a local franchisee -- announced in October it was providing free meals to Israeli soldiers. Last month, McDonald’s President and CEO Chris Kempczinski warned that “misinformation” in the Middle East and elsewhere was hurting sales. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesIt was an unexpected end to an otherwise strong year for the burger giant, which said global sale-store sales rose 9% in 2023. Starbucks said last week that it faced boycotts in the Middle East and elsewhere because of its perceived support for Israel. McDonald’s revenue rose 8% to $6.4 billion in the fourth quarter, meeting analystexpectations.

Persons: McDonald’s Israel, Chris Kempczinski, McDonald’s, ” Kempczinski Organizations: FactSet, Starbucks, Israel, McDonald’s Corp Locations: Gaza, McDonald’s Oman

☆ How McDonald’s Middle East franchises got into a public feud over Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Many McDonald’s operators in the region quickly distanced themselves from the Israeli operator’s actions. “It’s less control.”As the public feud plays out in the Middle East, McDonald’s corporate hasn’t said much about the war. What’s going on with McDonald’s in the Middle EastOnline, McDonald’s operators have made clear that they are independent of each other. “McDonald’s Pakistan is a wholly Pakistani entity owned and managed by SIZA foods,” reads a statement posted by McDonald’s Pakistan on X, formerly Twitter. Nierman suspects that many McDonald’s customers might not be paying too much attention either way.

Persons: McDonald’s, Artur Widak, ”, Andrew Gilman, hasn’t, Michael Seid, ’, Seid, Al Maousherji, ” Gilman, Evan Nierman, ” Nierman Organizations: New, New York CNN, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Hamas, CNN, Food Program, MSA, ‘, McDonald’s, Al, Al Maousherji Catering, Kuwait Red Crescent Society, Universities Locations: New York, Israel, McDonald’s Israel, Kuwait, Pakistan, Gaza, United States, “, McDonald’s Pakistan, McDonald’s Kuwait, Kuwaiti, Palestine, ”

☆ McDonald's China owners Carlyle, Trustar plan $4 billion exit - Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of McDonald's is seen at its restaurant in Hong Kong, China August 27, 2021. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo(Reuters) -Carlyle Group Inc and Trustar Capital are planning to raise $4 billion from wealth funds to buy part of their stakes in McDonald’s Corp operations in Hong Kong and mainland China, Bloomberg News reported. All stakeholders are highly aligned on the process,” McDonald’s China said in an emailed response to Reuters on Thursday. The asset managers aim to reach an agreement with investors in the fourth quarter of this year, the report added. Reuters had reported in April citing two people with knowledge of the matter that the U.S.-based private equity firm was discussing various options including setting up a continuation fund with financial advisers for its stake in McDonald’s China.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Carlyle, Mubadala, GIC Organizations: REUTERS, Carlyle Group Inc, Trustar, McDonald’s Corp, Bloomberg News, Reuters, McDonald’s, Shareholders, Mubadala Investment, GIC Locations: Hong Kong, China, McDonald’s China, U.S

☆ Short investor Hindenburg erases fifth of Icahn empire’s value
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

In a report published on Tuesday, Hindenburg accused IEP of overvaluing its holdings and relying on a “Ponzi-like” structure to pay dividends. The subsequent plunge in IEP shares wiped $2.9 billion off Icahn’s net worth, leaving him with an estimated $14.7 billion, according to Forbes. NAV is a key gauge of a fund’s performance, measuring the market value of securities held by the fund. Driving the frothiness in IEP’s stock, Hindenburg argued, is its dividend yield of 15.8%, the highest of any US large cap company by far. Hindenburg also offered examples it said showed IEP itself was valuing its holdings way above their market value.

☆ The New Rules of Layoffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Chip Cutter | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

When McDonald’s Corp. said it would temporarily close its U.S. offices as it conducts layoffs at the burger chain, it brought renewed attention to a debate swirling inside HR departments: What is the best way to let people go? The question is taking on urgency as more U.S. companies, from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to Amazon.com Inc., move to shed staff in a wave of layoffs that is heavily concentrated on white-collar jobs.

☆ McDonald’s Temporarily Shuts U.S. Offices as It Starts Notifying Workers of Layoffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Heather Haddon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

McDonald’s Corp. has temporarily closed its U.S. offices this week and has started informing corporate employees about layoffs being made by the burger giant as part of a broader company restructuring. Some McDonald’s workers began to hear about the fate of their jobs Monday. The company’s corporate vice president of insurance said he was informed Monday that his position was being eliminated and he was leaving the company after 20 years, he said in an email to colleagues that was viewed by The Wall Street Journal.

☆ McDonald’s Temporarily Shuts U.S. Offices as Chain Prepares for Layoff Notices and Begins Layoff Notices To Employees
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Heather Haddon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

☆ McDonald’s Temporarily Shuts U.S. Offices as Chain Prepares for Layoff Notices
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Heather Haddon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

McDonald’s employs more than 150,000 people globally in corporate roles and its owned restaurants. McDonald’s Corp. is temporarily closing its U.S. offices this week as it prepares to inform corporate employees about layoffs undertaken by the burger giant as part of a broader company restructuring. The Chicago-based fast-food chain said in an internal email last week to U.S. employees and some international staff that they should work from home from Monday through Wednesday so it can deliver staffing decisions virtually. The company, in the message, asked employees to cancel all in-person meetings with vendors and other outside parties at its headquarters.

☆ Cybersecurity Workers Demand Higher Salaries
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Catherine Stupp | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Cybersecurity chiefs are struggling to find employees they can afford, as sought-after job seekers ask for higher salaries. Challenging economic conditions have added a new layer of difficulty for companies around the world that have grappled with a growing shortage of cybersecurity workers. Multinationals including McDonald’s Corp. are seeking more cybersecurity job applicants, including people from nontraditional backgrounds, by removing cyber certifications and degree requirements from many job listings. Newsletter Sign-up WSJ Pro Cybersecurity Cybersecurity news, analysis and insights from WSJ's global team of reporters and editors. In Europe, with companies competing for a small pool of cybersecurity workers, job seekers are looking for flexible work conditions in addition to higher salaries.

☆ Pressured to Cut Plastic Use, McDonald’s Aims to See What Works and What Doesn’t
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Dieter Holger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

The McDonald’s report will draw on those experiences and others to assess the opportunities, risks and environmental impact of reusables, a McDonald’s spokeswoman said. PREVIEWMcDonald’s commissioned an industrywide study on reusable packaging in Europe that published in February. Write to Dieter Holger at dieter.holger@wsj.comCorrections & AmplificationsMcDonald’s Corp. doesn’t put individual burgers in reusable containers for meals served in its French outlets. Separately, in Germany, reusable containers are available on request for drinks and ice cream. An earlier version of this article didn’t specify which items were available in reusable packaging in Germany.

☆ McDonald’s to Study Pros and Cons of Reusable Packaging
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Dieter Holger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

The McDonald’s report will draw on those experiences and others to assess the opportunities, risks and environmental impact of reusables, a McDonald’s spokeswoman said. PREVIEWMcDonald’s commissioned an industrywide study on reusable packaging in Europe that published in February. “Reusable packaging is one potential solution when applied correctly, but sustainable packaging is complicated,” said John Blake, senior director analyst at Gartner Inc.’s supply chain practice, who wasn’t involved in the report. Although no large-scale reusable packaging laws exist in the U.S., a handful of states including California and Colorado have placed producer-paid fees on disposable packaging to boost recycling rates. “We continue to learn from our reusable packaging system pilots and are focused on implementation of our policy to address this important issue,” a Yum spokesman said.

☆ McDonald’s Directors Beat Sexual Misconduct Oversight Lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Richard Vanderford | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

The decision throws out shareholders’ claims against nine individuals who sat on McDonald’s board during a period in which sexual misconduct claims at the company drew widespread public scrutiny. After his termination, Mr. Easterbrook was accused of having undisclosed sexual relationships with other employees. McDonald’s ultimately settled a lawsuit against Mr. Easterbrook, clawing back some of his compensation. The shareholders alleged in their lawsuit that Mr. Fairhurst failed to appropriately respond to systemic issues of sexual misconduct at the company, a problem in which he was implicated. But Vice Chancellor Laster said McDonald’s directors “engaged with the problem” and can’t be held liable.

☆ Why Pizza Hut’s red roofs and McDonald’s play places have disappeared
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

As fast-food chains spread across the US after World War II, new roadside restaurant brands needed to stand out. So restaurant chains turned to architecture as a key tool to promote their brand and help create their corporate identity. Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesBut the fast-food architecture of today has lost its quirky charm and distinctive features. Googie style fell out of fashion in the 1970s as fast-food style favored dark colors, brick and mansard roofs. But in the effort to modernize, some say fast-food design has became homogenized and lost its creative purpose.

☆ Andrew McKenna Steered McDonald’s Through Leadership Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( Heather Haddon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

McDonald’s Corp. had lost two chief executives in just months in 2004 when Andrew McKenna stepped in to help stabilize the fast-food company. Mr. McKenna, who had served on the McDonald’s board for 13 years, was named chairman to reassure investors and help guide Chief Executive Jim Skinner . The new chief was succeeding Charles Bell, who held the job for just two weeks before learning he had colorectal cancer. Mr. Bell, in turn, replaced James Cantalupo, who died from a heart attack at a company conference.

☆ McDonald’s Ruling Shifts Oversight Liability Focus to Corporate Officers
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Dylan Tokar | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +9 min

Photo: McDonald’sThe ruling by Vice Chancellor Laster focuses on the claims against Mr. Fairhurst specifically. At the time of his termination, Mr. Fairhurst had been the subject of multiple reports of sexual harassment during his tenure, according to the Delaware ruling. Emerging oversight liabilityThe legal doctrine driving the McDonald’s shareholder lawsuit extends back to a 1996 Delaware Court of Chancery decision. The ultimate impact of Judge Laster’s ruling vis-à-vis McDonald’s shareholders is as of yet unclear. If the judge approves the McDonald’s directors’ motion to dismiss, the claims against Mr. Fairhurst would be moot.

☆ Amazon, Apple, Alphabet Headline Another Busy Earnings Week
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Sabela Ojea | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Amazon.com Inc.’s quarterly earnings report this coming week will provide insight on the health of online shopping. Apple Inc., Amazon .com Inc., Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc. report earnings in the coming week, four of the many companies providing quarterly updates as layoffs and slowing growth hit the tech industry. Leaders across multiple industries—such as fossil-fuel giant Exxon Mobil Corp., pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., fast-food chain McDonald’s Corp. and construction-equipment giant Caterpillar Inc.—are also scheduled to report their financials in the coming week.

☆ Americans Are Gobbling Up Takeout Food. Restaurants Bet That Won’t Change.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Heather Haddon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

McDonald’s Corp. has a new restaurant outside Fort Worth, Texas, with no tables or seats for customers and a conveyor belt that routes food to drivers who order ahead. Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. also offers no place for customers to sit inside an Ohio restaurant that only takes digital orders. Taco Bell is evaluating a new design that features four drive-through lanes, double the typical two. America’s biggest restaurant companies made a bet during the pandemic that you would rather eat the food cooked on their premises someplace else. Now they are gambling you will want to do so for years to come.

☆ Ginny Redington Dawes Starred as a Writer of Advertising Jingles
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( James R. Hagerty | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

As a singer and songwriter in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Ginny Redington struggled to win attention in an extremely crowded field. When she began writing advertising jingles in the mid-1970s, she rapidly became a star in that smaller arena by writing a peppy tune for McDonald’s Corp.’s “You, You’re the One” campaign. Her greatest hits also included ditties for dozens of other products, including Colgate toothpaste and Holiday Inn .

☆ Burger King Hires a CMO for U.S. and Canada
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Katie Deighton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +2 min

Burger King named Patrick O’Toole as its chief marketing officer for the U.S. and Canada, as the burger giant pursues a $400 million turnaround plan. Mr. O’Toole is joining Burger King from PepsiCo Inc., where he was most recently the chief marketing officer of Mountain Dew. Burger King, part of Restaurant Brands International Inc., for decades held second place in sales behind McDonald’s Corp. in the so-called burger wars. Newsletter Sign-up WSJ | CMO Today CMO Today delivers the most important news of the day for media and marketing professionals. “Pat joins us at a milestone moment for the brand,” said Tom Curtis, president of Burger King North America.

☆ SEC Charges Ex-McDonald’s CEO With Misleading Statements Over His Firing
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Will Feuer | Heather Haddon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Securities and Exchange Commission said it has charged former McDonald’s Corp. Chief Executive Steve Easterbrook with making false statements to investors about the circumstances leading to his firing in 2019. The SEC also charged McDonald’s with shortcomings in its public disclosures related to Mr. Easterbrook’s separation agreement with the company.

☆ Companies Spend Record Amounts on Dividends, Despite Looming Downturn
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Mark Maurer | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

They usually review their cash flow expectations for at least the next 18 months when determining whether or how much to pay in dividends, Mr. Silverblatt said. Of the S&P 500, 373 companies raised dividends in 2022 through Dec. 15, compared with 353 in 2021, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. Five S&P 500 companies decreased their dividend in 2022 through Dec. 15, compared with four in 2021. It paid $7 billion in cash dividends for the year ended Oct. 30, up 13.2% from the prior-year period. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $505.5 million as of Sept. 30, down from $673 million a year earlier, filings showed.

☆ Russia’s McDonald’s successor replacing Big Mac with ‘Big Hit’
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Starved of Big Macs since McDonald’s Corp (MCD.N) closed its Russian restaurants in March, Russians will from next year be treated to an alternative from the burger chain’s successor - the "Big Hit". Vkusno & tochka, or "Tasty & that's it", on Monday said the Big Hit would be available from February and a similar product to the McDonald’s Happy Meal would be making a comeback as "Kids' Combo". McDonald's closed its Russian restaurants soon after Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February, eventually selling to a local licensee, Alexander Govor, who unveiled the new brand in June. Since acquiring Russia's McDonald's restaurants, Govor has snapped up Finnish packaging company Huhtamaki's (HUH1V.HE) Russian business and a logistics firm, set to be renamed "Logistics & that's it". Some Vkusno & tochka restaurants had to take fries off the menu earlier this year when faced with a potato shortage.

☆ Operators of 13 Pittsburgh-area McDonald's locations accused of child labor violations
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Julianne Mcshane | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Thirteen McDonald's franchise locations in the Pittsburgh area are accused of violating child labor laws by allegedly employing 101 14- and 15-year olds outside of permissible work hours, the Department of Labor announced Monday. The spokesperson added that, in addition to paying the fine, Santonastasso Enterprises LLC had to agree to full future compliance with department regulations. The spokesperson added that the department does not disclose if they plan to investigate other McDonald’s locations across the country. The violations follow more than 4,000 child labor violations the Department of Labor has identified affecting more than 13,000 minor workers from 2017 to 2021. A spokesperson for the company said in a statement that PSSI has "zero tolerance" for such violations.

☆ Disabled Shoppers Struggle With Inaccessible Self-Checkouts
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Katie Deighton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

Stores’ self-checkout machines can annoy shoppers with error messages about unexpected items in the bagging area and other hiccups. PREVIEWThe problem is spreading as companies continue to install self-service transaction machines around the world, some disabled people and disability-rights activists say. The Baltimore-based organization last year worked with McDonald’s Corp. to upgrade its self-service kiosks so that they could be used independently by blind people. Walmart said its self-checkout system was accessible because staff had been trained to help disabled customers use it. Steps toward potential regulationsThe U.S. is looking into the possibility of creating regulations for the accessibility of self-service checkouts and ordering systems.

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