🍔📉 McDonald's Posts Worst U.S. Sales Slump Since 2020: Amid Economic Uncertainty and Global Boycotts

It’s not just fries and Big Macs—there’s a bigger reckoning at play.

McDonald’s is losing more than customers—it’s losing trust. In the first quarter of 2025, the fast-food giant saw a 3.6% drop in U.S. same-store sales. That’s its worst domestic performance since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CEO Chris Kempczinski blames inflation and economic anxiety. But that’s only part of the story.

🇵🇸 The Elephant in the Drive-Thru: Boycotts Over Gaza

Across the world, McDonald’s is facing heat for its perceived support of Israel during the war on Gaza. In October, McDonald’s Israel announced free meals for IDF soldiers—a move that triggered an international boycott campaign.

From Cairo to Copenhagen, customers started walking away. The backlash was swift and global, with reports estimating over $7 billion in lost revenue linked to the boycott.

Yet McDonald’s remains tight-lipped. Their earnings call made no mention of the growing boycott movement. Silence? Or strategy?

🇺🇸 Tariffs, Trump & a Tired Economy

The U.S. economy shrank by 0.3% in Q1—its first contraction since 2022. With new tariffs introduced by the Trump administration (dubbed "Liberation Day" tariffs), costs are rising and consumer confidence is falling. McDonald’s says middle- and low-income diners are cutting back, unsure how high prices will go.

Even the new Minecraft meal and $5 deals couldn’t stop the slide. The McValue Menu? A flop. Snack wraps? Still in preview.

🌍 Consumers Are Waking Up

This isn’t just about food. It’s about ethics, power, and visibility. People are making values-based decisions—and fast food isn’t immune. McDonald’s isn’t the first to feel it, and it won’t be the last.

✅ What You Can Do

🍟 Don’t just change your order—change the game. Download the Boycat app 🐾📱 to:

• 🕵️‍♀️ Track which brands support or harm liberation causes
• 🥤 Find ethical alternatives near you
• 🧾 Stay informed and stay vocal

This isn’t a trend. It’s a transformation.