McDonald’s is ending some of its diversity practices at the corporate level, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision outlawing affirmative action in college admissions. Two Bucks County leaders are very concerned that other businesses and corporations in the county will follow suit.
McDonald’s is the latest company to shift its tactics in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling and the conservative backlash that followed.
We reached out to DMD Restaurants which owns four franchises three times via phone and email and did not receive a response back. A Doylestown franchise owner reached by phone declined to comment. We also left a message for the Trevose franchise owner who hosted the Trump event in the Fall and did not hear back. In total, there are 21 McDonald’s franchises in Bucks County.
Kevin E. Leven, Co-Lead of Bucks County Anti-Racism Coalition, said he thinks it’s yet another sign that we are entering a period of increased targeting of diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of a larger general move within the culture and political landscape to roll back the hard-won civil rights efforts from the past couple generations.
He has not noticed any additional shifts within Bucks County specifically, however. “I say ‘additional’ because there seems to be an ever-present effort to push back on DEI in the culture at large in recent years – most notably within the arena of education,” said Leven. “I don’t think this phenomenon is unique to Bucks County however.”
When corporate giants like McDonald’s take these types of actions, Leven said it sends a signal to other smaller businesses and corporations that they should also fall in line with the current political leanings of the Supreme Court and incoming administration. He said we can expect a ripple effect from this; it would not surprise him to see businesses locally following suit.
“While America aspires to be a diverse and inclusive country, the growing trend of organizations retreating from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives is alarming,” said NAACP Bucks County President Adrienne King.
Leven noted the inherent contradiction in the statement from McDonald’s: “McDonald’s said it will retire specific goals for achieving diversity at senior leadership levels. It will also end a program that encourages its suppliers to develop diversity training and increase the number of minorities in their own leadership ranks. But the Chicago burger giant said it remains committed to inclusion and believes a diverse workforce is a competitive advantage.”
“That last sentence is a complete contradiction of the one before it,” said Leven. “They are paying lip service to the idea of diversity while actively working against it in practice. If they really were ‘committed to inclusion’ and believed that ‘a diverse workforce is a competitive advantage’, then they would not be actively working against both of these principles by implementing these new policies. Yet another example of a person/organization/company claiming to not be racist, while working towards racism.”
The NAACP Bucks County acknowledges America’s history of racism, which has created systemic disadvantages for many communities.
“To move forward as a nation, it is critical for companies, including McDonald’s, to recognize this history and actively work to address and remedy past injustices,” said Adrienne King, President of the NAACP Bucks County Branch. “While America aspires to be a diverse and inclusive country, the growing trend of organizations retreating from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives is alarming. Many are citing the Supreme Court’s 2023 Affirmative Action ruling to justify these rollbacks, further jeopardizing progress toward equity and justice.”
The NAACP Bucks County is particularly concerned about McDonald’s recent decision to scale back its DEI efforts, including retiring specific goals for leadership diversity and ending supplier diversity programs.
“These actions undermine the company’s stated commitment to inclusion and risk erasing years of progress,” said King. “Corporations must understand that DEI initiatives are not only moral imperatives but also essential for building stronger communities, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable success.”
She added that DEI is not about compliance or quotas; it is about creating environments where all individuals, regardless of background, have equal opportunities to contribute, thrive, and lead.
Research consistently shows that diverse leadership and inclusive practices enhance innovation, improve business outcomes, and strengthen communities.
“While McDonald’s asserts its commitment to inclusion, its actions in retiring measurable diversity goals and discontinuing supplier-focused DEI programs contradict that claim,” said King. “As the saying goes, ‘What gets measured gets managed.’ Tracking progress is essential for ensuring accountability, making adjustments, and achieving meaningful outcomes.”
Locally, Bucks County faces its own challenges in preserving DEI initiatives.
“When schools in the region began implementing programs sensitive to diversity, equity, and inclusion, school board meetings became contentious battlegrounds,” said King. “Vocal opposition from certain groups resulted in the removal of DEI programs in several districts. Unfortunately, many of these efforts were dismantled, negatively impacting students, educators, and the broader community by undermining inclusive education and limiting opportunities for all.”
The NAACP Bucks County urges local residents to take an active role in supporting DEI. King said advocates for equity in workplaces, schools, and communities attend public forums, support businesses that prioritize inclusion, and participate in local initiatives like mentoring programs and community dialogues.
By working together, King said we can ensure that Bucks County continues to be a place where fairness, opportunity, and inclusion thrive.
“The decisions made in our county reflect broader national trends, and we have a responsibility to lead by example,” said King. “By remaining vigilant and committed, we can push back against these rollbacks and ensure that progress continues. The NAACP Bucks County stands ready to work alongside individuals, businesses, schools, and organizations to uphold the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential pillars of a just and thriving society.”
