In a strategic move following months of dwindling revenues in the Middle East market amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict, McDonald’s Corporation has announced plans to purchase all 225 restaurants comprising its Israel franchise. The decision comes amidst heightened tensions and a significant decline in sales attributed to a pro-Palestinian boycott.

The franchise outlets, owned by local licensee Alonyal Ltd., have been a part of the Israeli fast-food landscape for over three decades under the ownership of Israeli businessman Omri Padan.
McDonald’s stated in a press release that an agreement has been reached to acquire Alonyal Ltd., with assurances that existing employees will be retained under similar terms. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.
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The move comes in the wake of widespread boycotts across Arab and Muslim-majority countries, alleging the chain’s support for Israel. McDonald’s management has vehemently denied these allegations, stating that the actions of the Israeli franchise branch were independent and not representative of the corporation’s stance.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives and resulted in humanitarian crises, has led to a sharp decline in McDonald’s revenues in the Middle East region. The company reported its first revenue miss in nearly four years earlier this year, attributing it to weak sales growth in the affected area.
This acquisition marks a strategic shift for McDonald’s as it seeks to navigate the complex socio-political landscape of the Middle East. Analysts suggest that the move may give the corporation greater control over its brand image in the region.
In related developments, franchises in several Muslim-majority countries have distanced themselves from the Israeli branch while pledging support for Gaza. However, these efforts have done little to stem the decline in sales, with reports indicating significant drops in revenue for McDonald’s franchises in affected regions.
The fallout from the pro-Palestinian boycott has reverberated across other Western brands as well, with Starbucks experiencing similar challenges in the Middle East market.
As tensions persist in the region, McDonald’s and other global brands face mounting pressure to navigate political sensitivities while maintaining their business interests.
Data Source: cnbc