Organization sues McDonald’s over college scholarships for Latinos
The American Alliance for Equal Rights is suing restaurant chain McDonald’s for alleged discrimination. The organization, led by Edward Blum, who successfully argued against affirmative action in colleges before the U.S. Supreme Court, is now targeting the golden arches and its scholarship program for Latino and Hispanic students.
The lawsuit alleges that McDonald’s Hacer National Scholarship discriminates against non-Hispanics and racial minorities, such as Black people, Arab people and Native Americans. It claims those groups are barred from receiving the scholarship based on their ethnic heritage and that discrimination is unlawful.
The lawsuit was filed in Nashville, Tennessee, where the program is administered by a company named International Scholarship and Tuition Service.
Hacer is one of the biggest corporate awards for high school seniors in the country. Those scholarships range from $5,000 to $100,000. The scholarships are limited to students with at least one parent who is of Latino or Hispanic heritage.
Since the mid-1980s, McDonald’s says it has awarded more than $33 million to more than 17,000 Hispanic and Latino students. The company selects recipients based on their academic achievement, community involvement, personal statement and financial need.
The American Alliance for Equal Rights is seeking an injunction because the deadline to apply is less than one month away on Feb. 6. The suit notes that an unnamed high school student from Arkansas, who is not Latino or Hispanic, wants to apply for a scholarship.
Blum wants McDonald’s to put the program on hold “so it can be opened to all under-resourced high-school students, regardless of their ethnic heritage.”
McDonald’s says it is now reviewing the lawsuit. It comes at a time when big companies, including McDonald’s, have begun to roll back their diversity initiatives.
Amazon joins other companies in scaling back DEI programs
Amazon is scaling back some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, joining a growing list of major corporations making similar moves in light of increasing political scrutiny. The company’s Vice President of Inclusive Experiences and Technology Candi Castleberry sent out a recently uncovered memo to employees last month, Bloomberg reported.
In it, Castleberry said the company was winding down outdated diversity and inclusion programs.
“Rather than have individual groups build programs, we are focusing on programs with proven outcomes — and we also aim to foster a more truly inclusive culture,” Castleberry said.
The note didn’t say which programs the company planned to drop, but The Washington Post reported sections from its website including “Equity for Black People” and “LGBTQ+ Rights” were removed from the page, along with all mentions of “transgender.”
Amazon’s site currently still has other diversity sections listed, including “Latinos at Amazon,” “Amazon People with Disabilities” and “Black Employee Network.”
In 2020, Amazon set a goal of doubling the number of Black employees in vice president and director roles and announced the same goal in 2021 in addition to pledging to hire 30% more Black employees in top positions.
Other major companies have also recently curbed DEI programs. On Friday, Jan. 10, Straight Arrow News reported Meta was ending its diversity, equity and inclusion programs effective immediately.
McDonald’s, Ford and Walmart also made similar moves.
The DEI changes come ahead of a second term for President-elect Donald Trump, who signed an executive order toward the end of his first term in 2020 banning diversity training in government agencies, contractors and institutions that get federal funding.
President Joe Biden signed an executive order when he took office asking government agencies to promote chief diversity officers and hold DEI training, which some are now anticipating Trump will eliminate.
The changes for companies also come after conservative criticism of DEI programs and the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action in 2023, reversing a decades-long effort to boost enrollment of racial minorities at universities.
The debate has critics who argue DEI policies violate the principle of equal treatment under the law when it comes to admissions, hiring and promotions against advocates who say diversity programs are still necessary to address inequality.
KFC opens new ‘Saucy’ restaurant focused on tenders, sauces
KFC is bringing a different flavor to the table, 11 flavors in fact, with its new concept, “Saucy.” The restaurant opened in Orlando, Florida, on Monday, Dec. 23.
While KFC, known for its fried chicken, is behind this new location, “Saucy” is all about chicken tenders and the sauces that come with them.
Customers can order the sauces individually or on a flight of four. There are 11 sauces to choose from, a nod to the 11 herbs and spices in “KFC’s Original Recipe.”
Some of the flavors are smokey bacon ranch, spicy mango chutney, sweet teriyaki, creole honey mustard and Saucy’s sauce. According to KFC, there seem to be over 4,000 different ways to order.
Beyond the sauces and tenders, Saucy offers sandwiches like the spicy queso crunch, desserts like the chocolate mousse cake and beverages like a blue raspberry freeze.
KFC said the restaurant’s design is meant to “delight the boldest generations of diners” by giving them a “tech-forward customer experience.” Customers can order their meals at kiosks. They’re also encouraged to hang out and enjoy live entertainment at the restaurant.
KFC chose Orlando due to its diverse demographic, according to officials. They said more “Saucy” restaurants are on the way. KFC’s “Saucy” joins legacy fast food chains creating innovative concepts.
McDonald’s has opened several of its “CosMc’s” restaurants across the country. This small-format brand’s bread and butter is beverages, though like “Saucy,” it also offers a spicy queso sandwich, among other items.
Taco Bell chose to focus on speed of delivery and drive-thru efficiency with its “Defy” concept. Burger King opened a similar concept with its “Sizzle” locations.
With an industry that generated nearly $400 billion in revenue in 2023, fast food companies are looking to find new ways to make that number grow bigger and bigger, whether it be with new restaurant designs, new drive-thru layouts or a bunch of new sauces.
Mother, 10-year-old daughter sue McDonald’s over E. coli outbreak
Just a few weeks after the Centers for Disease Control announced a deadly E. coli outbreak involving onions served at McDonald’s was over, the fast-food chain has now been hit with a lawsuit. A Colorado mother and her 10-year-old daughter filed the lawsuit in an Illinois court.
On Oct. 22, Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of yellow onions distributed to McDonald’s for its quarter-pounder burgers. The fast-food chain stopped using the onions at some of its restaurants. The company also stopped sourcing from a Colorado Springs Taylor Farms factory indefinitely.
According to the CDC, the outbreak sickened at least 104 people in 14 states. At least one person died in Colorado. The state had the largest number of those sickened in the outbreak, at least 30.
According to the lawsuit, 29-year-old Geovanna Zambrano and her 10-year-old daughter ordered the burgers from McDonald’s on Oct. 17.
The next day, the two experienced signs of E. coli poisoning, including nausea and stomach cramps. According to the lawsuit, doctors diagnosed the two with viral gastroenteritis at a hospital. The symptoms continued for several more days.
In the filed complaint, Morgan & Morgan attorneys John Morgan and Aaron Clite said, “The most basic duty of the companies that grow, package, cook and prepare our food is to not make us sick. We allege that McDonald’s, which touts itself as the world’s largest fast-food chain, has failed to meet that baseline expectation.”
McDonald’s said it doesn’t comment on active litigation but directed local news stations to comments made by its U.S. president, Joe Erlinger, in October 2024
“On behalf of the McDonald’s system, I want you to hear from me, we are sorry,” Erlinger said. “For those customers affected, you have my commitment that led by our values we will make this right. As we move forward, I want to reassure you that customers can continue to count on McDonald’s to always do the right thing.”
The suit by the Colorado mother and daughter follows a class action lawsuit filed against Taylor Farms in November 2024 and another against McDonald’s filed in December 2024.
Attorneys said this newest lawsuit is the first related to the outbreak to include a child plaintiff.
How social media personalities are shaping the future of marketing
Forget traditional TV ads — marketing is evolving, with social media personalities driving the change. Social streaming platforms and influencers like Kai Cenat are reshaping how brands connect with consumers.
From record-breaking Twitch marathons to influencer-led campaigns, brands are finding success by tapping into authentic digital communities.
Kai Cenat’s groundbreaking Twitch “subathon“
Cenat, a 22-year-old content creator known for comedic and over-the-top livestreams, recently hosted a monthlong Twitch “subathon.”
For 24 hours a day, viewers could watch Cenat do everything from eating and sleeping to engaging with fans and special guests.
Some of his guests included Kevin Hart, Kyrie Irving and Bill Nye the Science Guy. The goal was to entertain his loyal followers while breaking Twitch’s record for the most subscribers. Cenat smashed the previous record of 326,250, ending his subathon with 727,700 subscribers and over 50 million unique viewers.
The financial impact of social streaming
Cenat’s financial gains were massive. At $4.99 per subscription, he potentially earned up to $3.6 million.
The exact amount is unclear since Twitch takes a percentage but the earnings didn’t stop there. Ads and brand deals with companies like Nike and McDonald’s add to the haul.
Social media marketing vs. traditional TV ads
According to a Statista study, 41% of consumers purchased products after seeing social media ads, compared to 43% influenced by TV commercials. Among Gen Z and millennials, social media dominates. About 62% of Gen Zers and 53% of millennials reported being influenced by online ads.
Jason McDonald, the director of JM Internet Group, told Straight Arrow News that the marketing industry has changed a lot in the last few years.
“Marketing has become a much more technical profession than it used to be, and that creates a lot of opportunities for young people,” McDonald said.
The McDonald’s restaurant’s senior marketing director highlighted how the company collaborated with Cenat, saying in a post, “because he’s one of the most influential talents in the world… and an absolute fan of the Big Mac.”
Timeless keys to marketing success
While marketing trends constantly evolve, some foundations remain essential. McDonald says there are two keys skills people need to be good at in order to be successful at marketing.
“Being a good storyteller is incredibly important… And at a technical level, getting skillful at producing video,” McDonald said.
As social media continues to grow, storytelling and video production are the cornerstones of impactful marketing strategies.
UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect fights extradition to NY, denied bail in PA
New details continue to emerge about the man charged with murder in the killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO. And wildfires burn out of control in southern California as strong winds are forecast to make matters worse. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.
UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect fights extradition to NY, denied bail in PA
Luigi Mangione remains in custody in Pennsylvania as he fights extradition to New York one week after authorities say he shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel.
The murder suspect did not waive his extradition to New York. That means Mangione will remain in custody in Pennsylvania as he has 14 days to challenge the detention.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said it will seek a governor’s warrant to force extradition to New York where Mangione faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will sign a warrant for his extradition to ensure he is “tried and held accountable.”
Watch the @ABC7NY interview where Deputy Commissioner of @NYPDCT Rebecca Weiner and Chief of @NYPDDetectives Joseph Kenny discuss the ongoing investigation regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3WH9Y0JkMJ
In court Tuesday, Mangione was denied bail on the felony charges of forgery and carrying a firearm without a license in Pennsylvania.
“He has indicated a plea of not guilty. The only charges that we’ve seen thus far, have been the ones here in Pennsylvania. And we have pled not guilty to those charges,” his attorney Thomas Dickey told reporters.
As the investigation in New York murder continues, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told Fox News they are looking into whether the suspect suffered a back injury and filed any claims with the insurance industry prior to the shooting. Mangione’s roommate in Hawaii told various broadcasts Mangione’s back surgery caused him great pain and he was extremely angry about it.
Mangione had three pages of writing on him when he was arrested inside a Pennsylvania McDonald’s Monday morning, Dec. 9. The NYPD said the notes were addressed to “the feds” and told authorities he acted alone.
Investigators said Mangione may have been inspired by the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and they’re working to determine whether Thompson was the target of “a symbolic takedown” against corporate corruption.
In November, Mangione’s mother had filed a missing persons report for him in San Francisco. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, that came after no one had heard from Mangione since July.
In a statement, Mangione’s family said, “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.”
Fallout from South Korea’s short-lived martial law period
The fallout from South Korea’s martial law declaration widens as the imprisoned former defense minister attempted to take his own life.
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is currently being detained at a facility in Seoul on alleged collusion with President Yoon Suk Yeol in imposing martial law last week, attempted to take his own life late Tuesday night.https://t.co/aHM6HP5TUS
Authorities said former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun has been moved to an isolation room after an attempt on his own life before his formal arrest warrant was issued Tuesday night. Kim was the first public figure to be detained over the martial law declaration on Dec. 3 and is accused of being the one to recommend the move.
Separately Tuesday, South Korean police said they sent officers to search President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office as part of the investigation into the declaration.
Yoon is now banned from leaving the country as police and prosecutors investigate whether he and his supporters in the government as well as the military committed an insurrection when they sent armed troops into the National Assembly last week to try to prevent lawmakers from gathering to cancel the martial law decree. They were ultimately unsuccessful; lawmakers voted unanimously to end martial law just six hours after it was put in place.
Investigators have vowed to arrest, or at least detain, Yoon, who is still the country’s president. He refused to resign after an impeachment attempt on Saturday, Dec. 8, failed when members of his party left parliament and boycotted the vote.
The country’s main opposition party says it’s preparing a new impeachment motion and a vote on that is expected as early as this Saturday, Dec. 14.
Malibu wildfire reaches more than 3,000 acres, 0% contained
Firefighters in Southern California are battling a raging wildfire that has prompted evacuations and damaged homes in the affluent beach community of Malibu, northwest of Los Angeles. The Franklin Fire has spread to more than 3,000 acres and was 0% contained as of CalFire’s update at 9:47 p.m. PT Tuesday.
The fast-moving inferno broke out late Monday night and quickly grew, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds. Some gusts were reported as strong as 90 miles per hour.
Widespread Red Flag conditions across much of Southern California due to Santa Ana Winds will continue to be a threat to residents and property throughout the week.
The Franklin Fire in L.A. County has already consumed over 2200 acres this morning, forcing many evacuations. For… pic.twitter.com/7diQcNdi6B
More than 1,500 firefighters had been assigned to battle the flames and smoke.
Students, teachers and administrators at Pepperdine University were told to shelter in place as the fire kept getting closer and closer. Final exams were canceled.
There have been no reports of deaths or serious injuries, but officials said the fire has destroyed at least seven homes so far. The National Weather Service forecast days of extreme dry windy weather ahead.
Federal judge blocks sale of Infowars to The Onion
Jones was forced to put the platform up for sale to help pay $1.5 billion in damages that he owes to the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims for falsely claiming the massacre in Connecticut was a hoax.
Tuesday night, a federal bankruptcy judge said there was a lack of transparency in the auction process, and it failed to maximize value for the victims’ families, even though they had given their approval for Infowars to be sold to The Onion for an undisclosed amount of money.
NJ lawmaker calls for ‘limited state of emergency’ over drones
Republican state Sen. Jon Bramnick said mysterious drones seen flying over New Jersey in recent weeks should prompt a “limited state of emergency.” Bramnick said in a statement New Jersey should ban all drones until the public receives an explanation regarding these multiple sightings.
His statement came after the mayors of 21 New Jersey towns wrote a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy demanding action.
The FBI so far has only said it is doing all it can to figure out what is going on and the public can continue to call in tips.
This comes a year after GM grounded its fleet of driverless vehicles after an accident in California that led to Cruise being fined $1.5 million.
GM, which owns about 90% of Cruise, said it intends to buy the remainder of the company and will combine GM and Cruise technical teams. GM cited an “increasingly competitive robotaxi market” as one reason it will no longer fund the business.
Cruise founder Kyle Vogt, who left the company in 2023, reacted to the news on X saying, “In case it was unclear before, it is clear now: GM are a bunch of dummies.”
Pa. McDonald’s ‘review bombed’ after arrest of suspected CEO shooter
A McDonald’s employee’s actions led to the arrest of the man suspected of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Pennsylvania law enforcement praised the worker for a break in the case while some corners of the internet are doing the complete opposite.
The worker has been labeled a “snitch” and a “rat” for tipping off police to the fast-food chain’s Altoona restaurant.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was spotted eating at a local McDonald’s. The employee recognized the man based on photos released by the NYPD during their hunt for the elusive shooter. Thompson was shot in the back on Dec. 4 on the streets of Manhattan in an attack that police call targeted.
The tip from the worker also opened the flood gates to negative reviews inundating Google. Dozens of people left one-star reviews for three McDonald’s locations in Altoona.
“This locations has rats in the kitchen that will make you sick and your insurance isn’t going to cover it,” said one review.
It’s the latest case of “review bombing,” when businesses are slammed with bad reviews for unrelated situations. Another Pennsylvania McDonald’s went through the same thing in October after Donald Trump visited and worked the drive-thru line while on the campaign trail.
Google said the reviews go against its current policy and the company stepped in to remove any comments related to the shooting.
Yelp also made the same decision. The company began shutting down reviews for the locations. A statement also pops up on its website, citing unusual activity.
“This business recently received increased public attention, which often means people come to this page to post their views on the news.”
Statement by Yelp
Thompson’s death has captivated the public and led to discussions on social media surrounding America’s health care industry. Many praise the killer and mock the CEO’s murder.
According to court documents, murder charges have been filed against Mangione in New York. He awaits extradition. The McDonald’s employee who called 911 could receive a $50,000 reward offered by the FBI or the $10,000 New York police posted for the suspect’s arrest.
Mangione faces multiple charges in Pennsylvania for gun and forgery following his arrest.
Suspect charged with murder in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO
The man accused of gunning down the CEO of UnitedHealthcare on a New York City sidewalk is charged with murder. And the Biden administration levels allegations of war crimes against two Syrians who were high-raking members of the now ousted regime. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.
Suspect charged with murder in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO
After nearly a week of searching, the manhunt for the suspected gunman who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a New York City hotel last week is over. Police said they located the 26-year-old suspect inside a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 300 miles from New York on Monday, Dec. 9.
The New York City Police Department filed first-degree murder charges against Luigi Mangione, according to court documents released Monday night. Mangione also faces charges of possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a forged driver’s license, and criminal possession of a weapon.
Mangione is described as a former high school valedictorian and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, who grew up in Maryland but has also had past addresses in California and Hawaii.
Mangione was taken into custody in Altoona after authorities said a McDonald’s employee recognized him as the person of interest seen in images related to Thompson’s shooting death.
When police arrived on the scene, they questioned Mangione. According to court documents, Mangione “started to shake” when asked if he’d recently been in New York City. Authorities said at first, he lied about his identity.
So proud of @NYPDMTN Detectives, and our Major Case and Homicide Squads, who worked around-the-clock on the homicide investigation in Midtown. I joined them last night to thank them for their dedication. No doubt, their work was instrumental to identifying the person of interest… pic.twitter.com/jAFA7JDcHd
Court documents show he was carrying a black 3-D printed pistol with a silencer. The NYPD said the “ghost gun” found on him was consistent with the one used in the murder. Ghost guns do not have serial numbers.
Police said Mangione also had on him a fake ID, matching the one used by the suspect at a New York City hostel before the shooting, and a three-page written note.
“That document is currently in the possession of the Altoona Police Department as part of their investigation but just from briefly speaking with them, we don’t think that there’s any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document, but it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenney said.
Multiple reports Tuesday morning, Dec. 10, claimed those writings included the phrases “these parasites had it coming” and it “had to be done.”
During a press conference Monday evening, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) spoke of how the killing has led to some people online sharing their frustrations and anger over the healthcare system but emphasized that Mangione is not a martyr.
“In some dark corners, this killer’s being hailed as a hero,” Shapiro said. “Hear me on this: he is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonald’s this [Monday] morning. The real heroes every day in our society are the women and men who put on uniforms like these and go out in our communities to keep us safe. This killer is not a hero. He should not be hailed.”
Mangione will remain in custody in Pennsylvania pending his extradition to New York, which is expected to take place later this week.
Jury finds former US Marine not guilty in NYC chokehold death trial
Tensions remain high in New York after a jury acquitted U.S. Marine veteran Daniel Penny of all charges on Monday, including criminally negligent homicide, in the chokehold death of a schizophrenic man, whose behavior had some people on the New York subway testifying they feared for their lives.
The caught-on-camera deadly incident from May 2023 saw Penny put Jordan Neely in a chokehold from behind after Neely walked up and down the F train saying “somebody is going to die today”.
Prosecutors said the chokehold lasted too long, was reckless, and resulted in the 30-year-old homeless man’s death. The defense brought an expert in to show Neely was under the influence of the synthetic marijuana drug K2, arguing he died from drug use and a previous medical condition.
Outside the Manhattan courthouse Tuesday, fights broke out as protesters and counter-protesters clashed. After the verdict Neely’s father stated, “There is no justice.”
US charges 2 former Syrian officials with war crimes
The United States has charged two former high-ranking Syrian intelligence officials with war crimes. The DOJ said during Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Jamil Hassan and Abdul Salam Mahmoud oversaw operations of a detention facility where Americans and civilians who had been deemed enemies of the state were tortured.
In other developments in the Middle East, the U.S. has also sent a special envoy to Beirut, Lebanon to find out what happened to Austin Tice. Tice is an American journalist who vanished in Syria 12 years ago.
"We have heard from sources that have been vetted by the U.S. government that Austin is alive." Austin Tice has been missing in Syria for 12 years. Today his brother & sister tell me "every day is a day that Austin should be released and a day that Austin could be released." pic.twitter.com/o08OgOFKEm
On Sunday, Dec. 8, President Joe Biden said he believes Tice is still alive and his administration is committed to bringing him home. Syria has publicly denied holding Tice.
Meanwhile, Israel has launched a large-scale attack on Syria, striking what it called strategic military sites after the fall of the al-Assad government. It also expanded its presence into the Golan Heights, a buffer zone along the country’s border with Syria.
Israel claimed the move is temporary and aimed at ensuring nearby areas are not exposed to any potential security threats, but Iran has appealed to the United Nations Security Council, saying the expansion is a “flagrant violation” of U.N. charter, breaking a 50-year cease-fire agreement.
Hegseth looks to shore up Senate support on Capitol Hill
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary is back on Capitol Hill this week. He’s looking to shore up support from Senate Republicans.
Pete Hegseth met with Senators Joni Ernst and Lindsey Graham on Monday. Both had expressed concerns over allegations against Hegseth of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement of veterans’ charities and excessive drinking.
Hegseth denies a lot of it and says he is changed man. He served in the Army in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Lord & Taylor to relaunch as online discount luxury retailer
Another department store chain is set to make an internet comeback. Lord & Taylor is set to relaunch in 2025 as a discount luxury e-commerce platform offering designer goods and Lord & Taylor-branded products, according to its new owner.
Regal Brands Global acquired the Lord & Taylor intellectual property in September after its previous owner, Saadia Group — which had re-launched the chain as an e-commerce website in 2021 — ceased operations.
Regal Brands reportedly aims to position Lord & Taylor products to compete with other high-end retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.
‘Emilia Perez’ receives most Golden Globe nominations
CDC declares end to McDonald’s E. coli outbreak tied to Quarter Pounders
The CDC has given an important all-clear about eating at McDonald’s. The public health agency says the outbreak of E. coli affecting sliced onions on the chain’s Quarter Pounders is over.
Since the investigation began in October, the CDC and FDA identified 104 cases in 14 states, mostly in the Midwest and Mountain West. They found 34 hospitalizations, including one death of an older adult in Colorado.
Investigators traced the outbreak to a single distributor, California-based Taylor Farms. McDonald’s only used the contaminated onions on the Quarter Pounder with cheese.
After news of the outbreak emerged, McDonald’s temporarily pulled the Quarter Pounder off the menu in the affected states.
The FDA said in its announcement about the end of the investigation that, “there does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak.”
The news comes on a big day for McDonald’s and its menu.
Tuesday, Dec. 2, marks the latest return of the McRib, the famous barbecue pork sandwich, to the menu.
The McRib is a niche fan favorite among McDonald’s customers. The chain has brought it back nationwide for limited runs in each of the past five years, usually around the end of the year.
Informal studies have suggested McDonald’s may choose its timing of when to bring back the McRib based on pork prices, as a way to capitalize when prices are low.
Like previous runs, McDonald’s has said the McRib will only be available for a limited time.
New policy could mean fewer broken McDonald’s ice cream machines
For years, McDonald’s fans across the U.S. faced a familiar disappointment after visiting their local restaurant hoping for a McFlurry or ice cream cone, only to learn the ice cream machine was down. This frustration stemmed from McDonald’s dependence on specialized technicians from Taylor, the machines’ manufacturer, to service the frequently malfunctioning ice cream equipment.
However, this long-standing issue may soon see a resolution after the U.S. Copyright Office recently granted an exemption. This allows third-party technicians to diagnose and repair commercial food equipment, including McDonald’s ice cream machines.
Previously, franchise owners were limited by digital locks set by Taylor. That prevented anyone outside the company from servicing the equipment.
The change followed efforts by repair advocates, who filed for an exemption last year under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). These advocates successfully argued that the law should allow qualified, independent technicians to bypass the machines’ digital locks for repairs.
As a result, franchise owners can now legally enlist third-party repair services, which could significantly reduce ice cream machine downtime.
This exemption is not the first of its kind. Past rulings have allowed consumers to “jailbreak” cellphones and repair certain components of video game consoles, signaling a broader shift in favor of consumer repair rights.
An app called McBroken tracks McDonald’s ice cream machine outages in real time. McBroken’s interactive map displays a green or red dot for each location in the U.S., indicating whether machines are operational or broken.
As of the latest update, over 13% of McDonald’s ice cream machines nationwide were down. In New York City, nearly 40% were offline.
Starting this week, McDonald’s franchise owners will have the official go-ahead to bring in third-party repairs.
The new policy could mean fewer broken machines and fewer disappointed McFlurry fans nationwide.