McDonald’s Is Changing Its Iconic Logo For International Women’s Day

In honor of International Women’s Day today, March 8th, McDonald’s vowed to do a lot more than just flipping their Golden Arches. Earlier today, the company launched their Better Together: Gender Balance and Diversity strategy that aims to create gender equality within the entire business by 2023.

McDonald’s announced their new strategy via LinkedIn.

“In 2018, we recognized the accomplishments of women everywhere by flipping the iconic Golden Arches on International Women’s Day, which also demonstrates the pride all of us feel in the achievements of women working in our restaurants and throughout our business,” said McDonald’s President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Easterbrook in the announcement video.

“Women who show that we truly are better together.”

However, the chain received a lot of feedback from those concerned that not enough was being done internally to enhance representation and gender equality within the company.

So, McDonald’s decided to one-up themselves and take action through establishing four pillars to help them reach their goal of equality within in the next four years.

McDonald’s has already made great headway. The video states that over half of their 1.9 million employees in over 100 countries are women. And in China, 60% of the leadership team is comprised of women — including Managing Director Phyllis Cheung.

But more action is needed to continue the fight.

“Gender balance and diversity makes McDonald’s stronger,” said their chief people officer, David Fairhurst, via a McDonald’s press release. While remaining an empowering space for all employees, McDonald’s is committed “to drive progress on a global scale by encouraging franchisees, suppliers, and other partners to deliver initiatives that drive gender balance and improve diversity, with the goal of reaching millions of women worldwide,” Fairhurst continued.

“Our new strategy will help deliver this commitment and is designed to ensure that we’re clearly defining and hitting our targets, day-in and day-out.”

Our new Gender Balance & Diversity strategy highlights 4 pillars that aim to improve representation of women at McDonald’s, enhance gender equality in career advancement, and championing the impact of women on the business: https://t.co/TNODI1Gblk #BalanceForBetter pic.twitter.com/p70sg1Z3bB

— McDonald's Corporation (@McDonaldsCorp) March 8, 2019

The first pillar is “Representation.”

“Aim for the representation of women at every level in the business to be equal to – or better than – the representation of women in the external workforce,” the brand’s press release reads.

Pillar 1) We will aim for the representation of women at every level in our business to be equal to – or better than – the representation of women in the external workforce. Learn more at https://t.co/TNODI1Gblk #BalanceForBetter

— McDonald's Corporation (@McDonaldsCorp) March 8, 2019

Second is “Rising,” with the goal to “enhance equality in career advancement for men and women.”

We’re in this together, people!

Pillar 2) We will enhance equality in career advancement for men and women. Learn more at https://t.co/TNODI1Gblk #BalanceForBetter

— McDonald's Corporation (@McDonaldsCorp) March 8, 2019

Third comes “Recognition,” aimed at celebrating the impact women have had on the business.

McDonald’s will also release global reports pertaining to this information.

Pillar 3) We will recognize the impact of women in the business and report on progress globally. Learn more at https://t.co/TNODI1Gblk #BalanceForBetter

— McDonald's Corporation (@McDonaldsCorp) March 8, 2019

And finally, the fourth pillar is “Reach,” which encourages franchisees and suppliers to strategize gender balancing opportunities and improve diversity.

Reach for the dang stars.

Pillar 4) We will achieve progress on a global scale by encouraging franchisees and suppliers to deliver strategies that drive gender balance and diversity, with the goal of reaching millions of women worldwide. Learn more at https://t.co/TNODI1Gblk #BalanceForBetter

— McDonald's Corporation (@McDonaldsCorp) March 8, 2019

Furthermore, the company will continue to offer education opportunities for employees.

The company plans to introduce a “Women in Tech” initiative to help McDonald’s employees learn skills in data science, cyber security, artificial intelligence, and more.

This campaign is similar to the “Where You Want To Be” program, which sets McDonald’s employees up with professionals within the industry they desire to be in someday.

Restaurant employee Clare spent a shadow day with @drmeenasingh learning how the skills she’s using today are the same ones used in the healthcare industry. Watch the full story: https://t.co/uVbjdlwMo7 #SkillsToGetYouThere pic.twitter.com/5gYOR9KNMv

— McDonald's Corporation (@McDonaldsCorp) March 7, 2019

Globally, women are currently employed in 30% of McDonald’s officer positions and 41% staff positions. And in the U.S., 60% of all the brand’s restaurant managers are women.

Hopefully, those numbers will continue to rise as the Better Together initiative gains steam. Go, girls, go!

“We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone is equally supported and empowered to realize their full potential, and with this initiative, we are pledging to accelerate McDonald’s progress toward gender balance and diversity.” - @wendylewismcd https://t.co/ujr30a26a8 pic.twitter.com/zJDyyd4uox

— McDonald's Corporation (@McDonaldsCorp) March 8, 2019

And everyone is giving the fast food chain a hand for their work. This is so much better than flipping the Golden Arches.

“Happy to have felt empowered to dare during my career at #mcdonalds and to keep daring in my new professional life,” LinkedIn user Marie-Pierre Membrives commented.

“Happy to see some great women I had the chance to cross in my career featured in this video (cc Phyllis Cheung, Isabelle Kuster, Antoinette Benoit).”

We agree. This strategy is so, so important.

The programs McDonald’s offers to all their employees puts them above the rest.

The company provides an amazing jumping-off point.

We’re feeling proud of our Mickey D’s on this International Women’s Day. One of the best IWD gifts we’ve ever received.

Now go rock those opportunities, ladies, and keep up the amazing work you do.

We can’t wait to see what McDonald’s can accomplish for their women employees by 2023.

We. Can. Do. It!