McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski has said several markets in the Middle East and some outside the region were experiencing a "meaningful business impact" due to the Israel-Hamas conflict as well as "associated misinformation" about the brand.
Major Western fast-food chains including McDonald's and Starbucks have seen largely spontaneous, grassroots boycott campaigns over their perceived pro-Israeli stance and alleged financial ties to Israel.
According to Reuters, Kempczinski said Thursday the misinformation surrounding brands like McDonald's was "disheartening and ill-founded."
"In every country where we operate, including in Muslim countries, McDonald's is proudly represented by local owner operators who work tirelessly to serve and support their communities while employing thousands of their fellow citizens," Kempczinski said in a LinkedIn post.
In October, McDonald's Israel said on its social media accounts that it had given thousands of free meals to Israel Defense Forces personnel.
This was later renounced by McDonald's franchises in some Muslim countries.
Some of the Western brands are feeling the impact of boycotts in Egypt and Jordan that have now caught on in some countries outside the Arab region including Muslim-majority Malaysia.
