Key Ethical Issues Faced By McDonald's

Categories: Fast Food

McDonald's: A Brief History and Ethical Issues Faced

McDonald's is the world’s largest chain of fast food restaurants that serving over 64 million customers daily in 119 countries worldwide. It was founded in 1940, it has been operating ever since 1948 where they opened their first small hamburger stand. McDonald’s sells a wide variety of fast food items such as, burger, fries, salad, and ice cream and aim to provide a ‘natural’ style with a particular emphasis on comfort; creating lounge areas, fireplaces and an indoor playground to attract children.

There have been many critics questioning McDonald’s practices of its business throughout the world since 1980. Some of the key ethical issues that were faced domestically and globally were: environmentalist, child exploitation, nutritionists and health, and corporate social responsibility. These ethical issues were very important because being unethical towards these situations would cause the company to either lose a lot of customers or get sued by other corporate entities.

McDonald's and Nutrition: The Health Concerns of Consumers

In the recent years, Nutrition and health seemed to be the most important issue to the customers, although McDonald’s had made some changes to their menu options beside hamburgers.

Get quality help now
Prof. Finch
Prof. Finch
checked Verified writer

Proficient in: Fast Food

star star star star 4.7 (346)

“ This writer never make an mistake for me always deliver long before due date. Am telling you man this writer is absolutely the best. ”

avatar avatar avatar
+84 relevant experts are online
Hire writer

The issue that arose were with respect to the menu that was being served. Which health critics continue to criticize the company for its high calorie burgers and fries that the majority see as a major health issue. McDonald’s has often purpose of creating a healthy menu for the customers but has often mislead everyone to think that their food is healthy and 100% organic, but in reality it is not.

Get to Know The Price Estimate For Your Paper
Topic
Number of pages
Email Invalid email

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

"You must agree to out terms of services and privacy policy"
Write my paper

You won’t be charged yet!

In this paper I will focus on nutrition and health issue that McDonald's faces.

Importance of Business Ethics in the McDonald's Case

Why is business ethics important in this case/company? Business ethics is important because it set’s the basic guidelines that govern good behavior within a business. Being one of the most widespread restaurant across the world gives them the utmost reason to perform ethically. However, keeping in mind with the concerns with regards to health, McDonalds have been warned with their menu items that are being sold, which was said to be unhealthy. With the increase on obesity and health issues many health critics are concerned.

McDonald's Marketing Practices: A Question of Ethics

In 2010, a mother filed a lawsuit against McDonald's due to unethical marketing practices towards children. She believed that McDonald's had invaded her children's mind through deceptive marketing and claimed that McDonalds sells toys with the happy meal so that children would keep demanding to purchase a happy meal in order to collect their toys. According to Friedman’s theory of Individualism the company is acting ethically. The organization main objective is to maximize profits for the owner and the stakeholders.

Updated: Feb 02, 2024
Cite this page

Key Ethical Issues Faced By McDonald's. (2024, Feb 08). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/key-ethical-issues-faced-by-mcdonalds-essay

Live chat  with support 24/7

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

get help with your assignment