🛑 Nationwide McDonald’s Boycott Expands: What to Know

A growing wave of consumer activism has set its sights on McDonald’s, as The People’s Union USA announces an expanded, week‑long boycott running from June 24 to June 30, 2025. Here's a breakdown of what’s driving the movement—and what it could mean:

1. Who’s Behind It & What They’re Demanding

The People’s Union USA, led by John Schwarz, is spearheading the effort. They term it an “economic blackout” targeting corporations that have rolled back Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and engaged in what they see as exploitative practices  .

Schwarz’s Instagram message called on McDonald’s patrons to forgo visits this week, alongside broader policy demands like fair taxation, corporate accountability, ending wage suppression, and stopping price gouging.

2. What McDonald’s is Accused Of

Critics say McDonald’s eliminated senior‑leadership diversity targets and halted supplier‑DEI programs in January—partly in response to the Supreme Court’s 2023 affirmative‑action ruling.

The group also claims the company engages in price gouging, exploits workers, dodges taxes, suppresses unions, and practices performative DEI.

3. Financial Reverberations

McDonald’s U.S. same‑store sales have seen their steepest decline since 2020, and their earnings continue to slide.

Analysts warn even a small dip—just 1% of U.S. quarterly sales—could mark a notable hit, especially as the boycott overlaps with its fiscal quarter end.

4. Past Boycotts & Effectiveness

The People’s Union previously targeted giants like Walmart, Target, and Amazon. Results varied: Amazon remained unaffected, but Target saw sales fall and had to revise its forecast  .

Experts caution most short‑term boycotts have limited impact. For example, a 40‑day boycott of Target showed more effect than shorter campaigns—though academic consensus holds that brief boycotts rarely drive major revenue loss.

5. What Happens Next?

The week’s boycott is just the start. The group has already outlined more campaigns: boycotts of Starbucks, Amazon, Home Depot in July, then another cycle—targeting Walmart, McDonald’s again, Lowe’s—in August, plus a July 4 economic blackout .

McDonald’s has yet to publicly comment. But with slowing U.S. performance and rising beef costs and wage pressures, the company is already on unstable ground.

Summary

Risk Factor.            Impact

DEI rollback: Sparked activist                     backlash

Weak sales: Same‑store sales down—worst since 2020

Boycott tone: Targeting broader issues: taxes, worker rights

Financial timing: Q2 ends June 30; July earnings may reflect effects

As this boycott unfolds, all eyes will be on whether the fast-food giant's brand strength and franchise model can weather the storm—or if consumer pressure tips the scales.

Final Take

This movement isn’t just about skipping the drive‑thru—it’s an organized effort to force corporate change via consumer leverage. While short-term effects remain uncertain, the pace and scale of the “Economic Blackouts” mark a shift in how activist groups confront large corporations. McDonald’s next earnings report could offer the first concrete sign of whether the campaign is battering the Golden Arches or rolling harmlessly by.