• McDonald’s will buy back all 225 of its Alonyal franchise restaurants in Israel, following the boycotts and disruption its business has faced amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. CNN (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• Without revealing the terms of its deal with Alonyal, the US fast food chain said that its restaurants, operations, and employees in Israel will be retained “on equivalent terms.” BBC News (LR: 3 CP: 5)
• McDonald’s has faced protests since Alonyal announced shortly after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that it would donate free meals to the Israeli military. Guardian (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• Alonyal, which has been a McDonald’s franchisee for over 30 years, employs more than 5K employees across the country. The Jewish Chronicle
• Between October and December 2023, McDonald’s sales growth plunged to 0.7% in the Middle East, China, and India division, following a boycott in many Muslim-dominated countries. Al Jazeera (LR: 2 CP: 1)
• McDonald’s has denied taking any position on the Israel-Hamas war, blaming the “disheartening and ill-founded” backlash against it on “misinformation.” The Telegraph

Narrative A:

• McDonald’s repurchasing of its Israeli branches will restore trust and control over its brand. This is a strategic, long-term decision aligned with McDonald’s values. The company is signaling a commitment to ethical business practices globally, focusing on consistency and trust. This action also reflects a broader trend in the industry towards stricter franchisee guidelines, highlighting the importance of upholding brand values.
  INEWS.CO.UK

Narrative B:

• McDonald’s decision to buy back its franchise restaurants in Israel is not without its risks. The move also raises questions about the restoration of its brand’s reputation globally and its potential implications for future franchise dealings. It also brings to light Alonyal and its CEO Omri Padan, who have been involved in past controversies. These controversies could potentially impact McDonald’s brand image and future business decisions.
  BBC NEWS (LR: 3 CP: 5)

Nerd narrative:

• There’s a 50% chance that North Korea will have a McDonald’s by 2046, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
  METACULUS (LR: 3 CP: 3)