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McDonald's

Flagged · Avoid

The world's most recognized fast food brand and its largest restaurant chain, structured primarily as a real estate and franchise business that owns the land and buildings, generating enormous profits while keeping the corporation at arm's length from labor conditions in its restaurants.

Last updated May 7, 2026

Reasons to avoid

Issues span:LaborEnvironmentConsumer
  1. Low wages and opposition to minimum wage increases for workers.hr-brew.com2025-11-22
  2. Anti-union activities and suppression of worker organizing efforts.nytimes.com2025-11-22
  3. Major contributor to plastic waste and environmental pollution.theguardian.com2025-11-22
  4. Factory farming practices that harm animal welfare.worldanimalprotection.org.au2025-11-22
  5. Marketing unhealthy food to children, contributing to obesity epidemic.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov2025-11-22
  6. Displacement of local food cultures and small businesses.en.segundopaso.org2025-11-22
  7. Poor working conditions and wage theft allegations.thehill.com2025-11-22

Ethical alternatives

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Sweetgreen
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