McDonald’s apologises for ordering staff not to feed homeless

McDonald’s in France has apologised for ordering its staff not to hand out food to homeless people at one of the chain’s restaurants on the Cote d’Azur. Over the weekend a consumer group posted an image of an internal memo on social media that said staff were “formally forbidden to give food to vagrants," and the note was signed by "the management".

Reuters

"As a reminder, staff meals must be eaten on the premises. Staff meals are a personal benefit and should only benefit the staff member in question," the note continued. "McDonald's is not here to feed all the hungry people in the country!"

The consumer association "60 Million Consumers" said on its website that a McDonald's employee told them managers were angry after he had given some of his food to homeless people outside the restaurant last month.

The fast-food chain responded in a statement: "After a serious incident with homeless people on the evening of July 25 in front of the McDonald's in Hyeres, the restaurant sent out a note to prevent these incidents and to ensure its clients' safety.

"The procedure and the wording was clumsy and the management swiftly withdrew the note. McDonald's contacted the restaurant to apologise to anyone who might have been shocked by this note and to recall that the chain is there to serve any client, without distinction," the company added.