Consumer

McDonald’s Exits Lobby Group as Wage Rift Divides Industry

An employee carries a tray of food at a McDonald's restaurant in Zion, Illinois.
Photographer: Jamie Kelter Davis/Bloomberg

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By Daniela Sirtori

September 3, 2025 at 10:06 PM UTC

Updated on

September 4, 2025 at 4:38 PM UTC

McDonald’s Corp. pulled out of the trade group that lobbies on behalf of the restaurant industry, in part over a disagreement regarding how workers are compensated.

“McDonald’s has chosen to step away from membership in the association due to a policy difference,” the National Restaurant Association said in a statement Thursday. The company declined to comment.