McDonald's was subjected to a global boycott campaign in support of Gaza (French)
McDonald's and Alonial Limited said on Thursday that McDonald's has decided to purchase its franchise in Israel for 30 years from the Alonial Limited company that owns it, which will return to McDonald's ownership of 225 restaurants with more than 5,000 employees.
McDonald's, an American fast food chain, has been subjected to boycotts and protests since Alonial announced its donation of free meals to the Israeli occupation army shortly after the Al-Aqsa Flood operation launched by the Palestinian resistance against the occupation army in the Gaza Strip on October 7th.
McDonald's is a global chain, but its franchises are often owned by local companies that operate independently.
McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said last January that the company had witnessed "tangible damage" in a number of markets in the Middle East and beyond due to the war launched by Israel on the Gaza Strip, which Arabs, Muslims and others from around the world responded by boycotting the brands supporting it. Israel supports Gaza.
Joe Sembles, McDonald's head of international licensed markets for development, said Thursday that the company "remains committed to the Israeli market and ensuring a positive experience for employees and customers in the market in the future."
Omri Badan, CEO and owner of Alonial, said that after the deal is completed in the coming months, McDonald's will own Alonial restaurants and operations while retaining its employees.
The two companies did not disclose the terms of the deal.
Source: Agencies