The McDonald’s boycott 2025 has officially taken off—and it’s not just a passing hashtag. Across cities and social platforms, the fast-food giant is facing mounting public backlash that could redefine its global image.
The boycott, led by John Schwarz and his movement, The People’s Union USA, is part of a growing “economic blackout” aimed at demanding fair taxes, real equality, and corporate accountability. The campaign will target McDonald’s until next Monday and has quickly gained steam online.
In a now-viral Instagram post, Schwarz rallied supporters with the message of “people-powered change,” calling out McDonald’s for its recent policy shifts. The chain recently stopped requiring suppliers to meet DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) goals and halted external diversity surveys, moves that many see as a corporate retreat from social responsibility. Critics say these actions mirror steps taken by Walmart, Target, and other retail giants under pressure from changing political and economic landscapes.
A McDonald’s spokesperson responded to the backlash, stating the company welcomes “honest dialogue with the communities we serve,” but dismissed the boycott’s claims as “misleading.” The company emphasized its significant contributions to local, state, and federal taxes, saying, “We’ll continue to pay our fair share.”
Still, the boycott couldn’t come at a worse time for McDonald’s. The chain has just experienced a second consecutive quarter of falling sales, a rare dip for a brand known for consistency and affordability. Customers are increasingly vocal about price hikes too. Since 2019, prices have reportedly surged by about 40%, turning what was once a cheap comfort food into a pricier pick.
Meanwhile, the broader movement for corporate reform is intensifying. Activists like Pastor Jamal-Harrison Bryant have already targeted Dollar General and Target through online campaigns, flooded emails, and what’s being called a “mass technological campaign.” The movement is centered on holding corporations accountable for walking back DEI initiatives and ignoring the communities they profit from.
This new wave of activism has sparked similar consumer actions. For instance, Bryant led a “Target Fast” during Lent and has now shifted focus toward Dollar General, accusing the brand of betraying low-income and Black communities. His campaign echoes the sentiments of Schwarz’s McDonald’s boycott, corporate giants can no longer avoid social accountability without consequences.
Adding to McDonald’s woes, the chain just ended a beloved partnership with Krispy Kreme, meaning fans will no longer be able to grab doughnuts at McDonald’s locations across the US. The three-year collaboration ended quietly, impacting 2,400 outlets that carried the sweet treats.
But McDonald’s is trying to shift the spotlight back to its core offerings. In July, the chain is launching its new snack wraps featuring McCrispy Strips, black pepper-seasoned chicken wrapped with lettuce and cheese. It’s part of a broader summer menu revamp aimed at luring back customers with affordable deals.
Here’s a quick look at how McDonald’s stacks up against the competition with its current value meals:
| Fast Food Chain | Value Meal | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Taco Bell | $7 Luxe Cravings Box | Chalupa Supreme, Beefy Five-Layer Burrito, Double Stacked Taco, Chips & Nacho Cheese, Medium Drink |
| McDonald’s | $5 Meal Deal | McDouble or McChicken, 4pc Chicken McNuggets, Small Fries, Small Soft Drink |
| Wendy’s | $5 Biggie Bag | Junior Bacon Cheeseburger or Crispy Chicken Sandwich, 4pc Nuggets, Junior Fries, Small Drink |
| Burger King | $5 Your Way Meal | Whopper Jr., Chicken Jr., or Bacon Cheeseburger, Fries, 4pc Nuggets, Soft Drink |
Despite menu tweaks and sweet summer deals, the McDonald’s boycott isn’t going away quietly. With customers already fed up over pricing, transparency, and policy rollbacks, the chain may need more than a snack wrap to fix its image. Whether this protest movement sparks real change remains to be seen, but what’s clear is that fans are no longer willing to ignore what’s going on behind the Golden Arches.
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