Chris Kempczinski, CEO of McDonald’s, has blamed Muslims around the world and the collective boycott in support of Gaza, for the declining quarterly sales of the global fast food chain.
McDonald’s has reported its first decline in global sales since 2020, attributing the downturn to the boycott Israel campaign led by Palestinian supporters worldwide. The McDonald’s boycott has been sparked by the ongoing siege of Gaza by Israel, which has continued since October of last year.
Chris Kempczinski acknowledged the impact of the boycott during a recent earnings call. He highlighted that consumer sentiment in key markets had been negatively affected, particularly in regions where support for Palestine is strong.
The fast-food giant reported quarterly revenues of $6.49 billion, a figure largely unchanged from the previous year. However, net profit fell by 12% to $2.02 billion, failing to meet Wall Street expectations. The company’s international sales declined by over 1%, a significant figure given McDonald’s presence in more than 100 countries with over 40,000 restaurants.
Kempczinski attributed the decline in part to consumers becoming “more discriminating with their spend,” likely influenced by the boycott campaign.
The boycott against McDonald’s and other American companies began in October 2023, after McDonald’s in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories announced that it had donated thousands of free meals to Israeli soldiers. This move sparked a significant backlash, particularly in Muslim-majority countries and among supporters of the Palestinian cause.
The campaign, part of the broader Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, has also targeted other American brands such as Starbucks, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Papa John’s. Additionally, companies like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Wix, Puma, and Zara, known for their financial ties to Israel, have faced similar boycott calls.
The BDS movement has gained momentum globally, with thousands of volunteers advocating for economic, cultural, and academic boycotts of Israel. The movement seeks to pressure Israel to comply with international law and respect Palestinian rights. Pro-Israel groups have described BDS as an “existential threat” due to its potential economic impact.
The situation in Gaza remains dire. Reports indicate that the ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of 39,363 Palestinians, with at least 90,923 injured. The international community continues to call for a resolution to the crisis, emphasizing the need for humanitarian aid and peace negotiations.
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Yeah that’s bcz we all don’t like to eat when our money goes to harm innocent people .