At McDonald’s, inclusion is a part of who we are and how we show up for the communities we serve. Our commitment is simple but ambitious: to be a place where access to opportunity abounds, no matter who you are. 

Inclusion as Part of Our Heritage

From the beginning, McDonald’s has grown by welcoming all employees, Franchisees, suppliers, and customers. Today, that spirit is captured in our Golden Rule: treating everyone with dignity, fairness, and respect, always. This principle sits at the heart of our approach to inclusion and guides how we put people first across our System.  

Every time someone walks through our doors, rolls into the drive-thru, or opens our app, we have a chance to build community and foster a sense of belonging. As a global business, we also know that creating an inclusive environment is a key driver of our long-term success. 

How McDonald’s Puts People First Across Our System

McDonald’s focuses on helping build bright, safe, and inclusive futures by nurturing skills and uplifting communities. That means investing in workplaces where people feel seen, supported, and able to grow, whether they’re just starting their first job or leading a restaurant.

Guided by our values, we’re committed to workplaces where employees are empowered to pursue their career aspirations with access (or Archways) to opportunity, from crew roles to management and beyond. This all ladders up to our brand promise: making delicious, feel-good moments easy for everyone.

Heather Harvey: Inclusion, Station by Station

That commitment comes to life through leaders like Heather Harvey, who has spent more than 25 years within the McDonald’s system, championing disability inclusion in her restaurants. Heather’s philosophy is simple and keeps equity at the forefront: meet each person where they are and build the role and training around their strengths. 

Her approach centers on thoughtfully designed, flexible training plans. Each new crew member receives a tailored schedule based on their interests, whether they’re drawn to service, production, or both. No one moves to the next step until they’ve completed the “See It, Try It, Check It” process, which ensures they feel confident and capable before taking on more responsibility.  

Over the years, Heather has supported team members with a range of abilities. Through patience, clear communication, and flexibility, she’s watched shy new hires become confident, skilled contributors, many of whom have stayed working at McDonald’s for nearly a decade or more. 

“Working as a team is how we achieve a smooth restaurant experience for customers,” Heather says. “Going the extra mile to make sure each team member feels supported, respected, and understood makes all the difference and makes our teams even stronger.”   

Heather remembers one crew member who handed her a simple card that read “Thank you for making my first job not suck.” Today, that same team member is a food safety ambassador known for her attention to detail, her commitment to quality, and for bringing joy to her team for over nine years. 

Another colleague, who is legally blind, once had difficulties getting the information he needed in a busy kitchen. Heather and her team worked together to redesign the way the restaurant crew communicated by training them to proactively call out grill settings and Hot Off The Grill (HOTG) screen counts so he never had to ask twice. The shift changed the culture of the entire crew’s core values by encouraging them to go the extra mile for their team member.  

Practical Inclusion, Every Shift

Heather’s story is a blueprint for fostering inclusion in action. As General Manager at Groen Enterprises, which owns over 20 McDonald’s branded restaurants, she leans into tools like Crew Academy and training programs so her restaurant employees can learn in ways that feel comfortable to them at a pace that fits their needs. Focusing on clear communication and setting up team members for success ensures that no one is left behind.

The shared responsibility of maintaining an inclusive environment in McDonald’s branded restaurants is what transforms accommodations into everyday habits and turns a job into a community.  

Building an Inclusive Future, Together

From corporate offices to locally owned restaurants, we’re committed to living our values through the choices we make, the opportunities we create, and the leaders we grow.

Inclusion under the Golden Arches is a daily practice, not just an ambition. Whether it be how a manager structures training, how a crew rallies around a teammate, or how we honor the diverse experiences of the people who make us great, McDonald’s commitment to inclusion is at the core of what we do.   

Leaders like Heather Harvey remind us of what’s possible when we combine our inclusive heritage with a modern, feel-good approach that turns workplaces into spaces where people of all abilities can build skills, find purpose, and truly belong.

McDonald’s Inclusion FAQs

Q: How is McDonald’s inclusive?

A: Through OUR Golden Rule, McDonald’s commitment to inclusion supports that crew members are always treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. This is achieved by training managers to adapt to team members’ needs and learning styles, and through employee benefit programs.  

Q: Why is inclusion important to McDonald’s?

A: Making sure that our team members are cared for and valued is at the heart of what we do; because when our crew feels supported, the restaurant and employee experience is made even better. 

Q: What is McDonald’s message to its crew members?

A: At McDonald’s, we believe our differences make us stronger. That’s why no matter where you come from or what your role is, we are committed to uplifting and supporting our team members in ways that cater to their individual needs.