A Place of Welcoming: How McDonald’s and Its Franchisees Are Stepping Up as Champions for Disability Inclusion

McDonald’s is a place where everyone is welcome. Around the world, we and our Franchisees bring that to life every day with disability inclusion practices that show, no matter who you are, there’s a place for you under the Golden Arches.

Promoting Inclusion

We and our Franchisees look for ways to promote inclusion for our respective employees with disabilities, creating welcoming, accessible spaces that enable everyone at a McDonald’s restaurant or corporate office to develop professionally.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, McDonald’s developmental licensee has created opportunities for employees with hearing impairments to thrive through a dedicated inclusive hiring initiative, in place since 1995. The program is designed to recruit local people with disabilities, but more than that, it was created to help set those employees up for success from the get-go, providing the support, structure and confidence needed to grow.

Through tailored, role-specific training and coaching – from general catering skills to barista training – employees with disabilities are equipped with accessible tools and clear development pathways, enabling them to build capabilities and progress through their careers.

Japan

McDonald’s Japan has established an Open Door Team to promote inclusion and support the creation of an open organization that respects individuality, prevents isolation, and fosters mutual support and acceptance. The team brings together members from across departments to lead internal surveys and propose new systems that advance inclusion.

McDonald’s Japan also holds seminars and workshops to foster a cultural shift. What’s more, they created and distributed a Support Book to restaurants, providing guidance on disability awareness, key considerations for employment, recruitment approaches and best practices.

Mesoamerica

The “Integración Laboral para Personas con Habilidades Distintas” (Labor Integration for People with Different Abilities) program at McDonald’s developmental licensee’s locations in Mesoamerica promotes workplace inclusion by offering employment opportunities for people of all abilities.

France

In 2025, McDonald’s France renewed their support for the #ActivateurDeProgrès campaign led by Agefiph – an organization dedicated to promoting the integration, retention and progress of people with disabilities in private sector companies. Announced during the 2025 European Week for the Employment of People with Disabilities, this renewed support is just one way McDonald’s France is helping remove obstacles to advancement for people with disabilities.

Australia

The Sydney Disability Expo in August 2025 was the perfect platform for McDonald’s Australia to connect with people with disabilities and their caregivers and support networks. The team shared insights into what it’s like to work for McDonald’s, our renowned training programs and career pathways – showing expo visitors the opportunities that await them if they choose to pursue a job with us and our Franchisees.

During the year, McDonald’s Australia and its Franchisees also celebrated a 40-year partnership with Job Support, Australia’s leading employment service for people with intellectual disabilities. It’s a partnership that stretches all the way back to 1986, when McDonald’s came on board as a founding partner of this valuable organization.

Experiencing Challenges Firsthand in Norway

McDonald’s developmental licensee in Norway is embedding accessibility into the foundation of their restaurants wherever possible. By applying universal design principles, they aim to create spaces that work for everyone. In fact, they were the first in the Nordics to introduce accessible “Changing Places”  toilets – larger, fully equipped restrooms designed for people with complex disabilities, including features like height-adjustable changing benches, hoists and space for caregivers – and have since built nine such facilities, positioning themselves as first movers in the region.

In 2025, their team took part in a workshop designed to increase understanding of what everyday life is like for people with disabilities. Through the “Mind the Gap” workshop, hosted by Ekskurs AS – an organization that helps companies create inclusive and accessible products and services – the developmental licensee’s employees heard from functional coaches and took part in hands-on exercises from maneuvering a wheelchair over uneven terrain to navigating spaces without sight. The workshop helped teams consider how different design choices can either enable or limit access.

Advancing Shared Understanding

U.K. and Ireland

McDonald’s UK & Ireland teamed up with Business Disability Forum to host an informative and engaging discussion on International Day of Persons with Disabilities. During the session, office employees learned all about practical actions they can adopt to remove barriers, create inclusive environments and empower their colleagues with disabilities.

Exploring Inclusive Recruitment in Portugal

In 2025, McDonald’s Franchisee-owned and -operated Barreiro Drive restaurant in Portugal played host to the Association of Parents and Technicians for the Integration of the Disabled and the Social Solidarity Cooperative’s Resource Center to explore the daily working experiences of employees with disabilities. The initiative was an excellent opportunity to experience firsthand the barriers and challenges employees may face within restaurant settings.

Amplifying Stories of Inclusion Within Arcos Dorados

Arcos Dorados believes in inclusion that celebrates people for all they are. As part of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Arcos Dorados reinforced their “Todo Lo Que Soy” (Everything That I Am) campaign, a bold initiative designed to amplify the stories of those who, through their talent, dedication and authenticity, bring the true power of inclusion to life every day.