The article clearly states it is HQ being affected, not line workers at restaurants.
In fact, nearly all McDonald's restaurants are franchised and independently owned. McDonalds Corp has NO SAY in hiring and firing line workers in franchised restaurants. Those decisions are made by the franchiser/operators and are based on local market conditions.
For those who don't understand how McDonald's makes most of their money, it has very little to do with burgers and fries. The business model that made McDonalds what they are today is based on purchasing land and then leasing that land (and building) back to franchisers, who assume most of the risk of running the actual burger chain operation. Franchisers and their managers attend "Hamburger University" in Chicago where they are taught the nuts and bolts of running a successful McDonalds restaurant.
It is fascinating to read how Ray Kroc built the business to what it is today. He would fly around the country in a private plane, analyzing traffic patterns of growing suburbs, particularly where interstate highways were about to be built through. McDonald's would go on to be one of the largest landowners in the United States and almost all their revenue and profit came from those lease payments of the franchisers.
Everyone should see the movie ”The Founder” with Michael Keaton as Ray Kroc. It’s a fascinating and mostly very factual account of what Kroc did. (Not all nice) I believe that Americans and Conservatives should be behind McD whether they eat there or not. It’s an American success story that’s become the second largest private employer only behind Walmart. Nearly 1.7 million people depend on McD to earn a living. Like the food or not but quit ragging on them and go eat somewhere else or cook at home. We need companies like McD and Wally and yes even Taco Bell.
Not to mention that McD stock was at $17 a share exactly 20 years ago. Today it sits at a nice $282. Just think of all the 401k’s,IRA’s and Pension funds that rely on Companies like this to pay the common man a retirement income. We should champion companies like this. Amazon, Exxon, Shell, Apple, Microsoft et al have all made our investment funds flourish over the last 20 years yet everybody seemingly rags on them.