The McDonald's Monopoly scandal exposed a massive fraud scheme that turned the popular game into a high-stakes con. Jerry Jacobson, a security officer at Simon Marketing, was tasked with keeping the Monopoly game pieces secure. Instead, he exploited his insider access, stealing high-value winning pieces and creating a secret network of "winners" to claim prizes.
For years, while McDonald’s promoted millions in prizes, Jacobson’s recruits, including friends and strangers, pocketed over $24 million in cash and prizes that should have gone to legitimate customers. It wasn’t until the FBI received an anonymous tip that the scheme unraveled, with agents uncovering a web of deceit that left McDonald’s—and the public—stunned by the scale of the fraud.
An E. coli outbreak tied to McDonald's menu items sickened dozens across several states, exposing the risks of foodborne illness in fast food. Health officials traced the infections to contaminated onions in items like burgers, causing severe stomach cramps and diarrhea that sent some customers to the hospital.
The CDC launched an investigation to trace the contamination, while McDonald's quickly removed the suspect onions from affected locations. This outbreak underscored the complexities of food safety in large supply chains and the need for rigorous quality controls—even in a quick trip to grab a burger.
In November 2019, McDonald’s found itself at the center of a major lawsuit accusing the company of turning a blind eye to widespread harassment of female workers across its U.S. restaurants. The case highlighted a disturbing pattern of misconduct, with former employees claiming that harassment wasn’t just an occasional issue but part of a larger problem.
According to the plaintiffs, this behavior ranged from unwanted physical advances to comments from both colleagues and supervisors. The lawsuit argued that McDonald’s failed to take meaningful action against those responsible, raising questions about the company’s commitment to workplace safety. Given McDonald’s massive global presence, this case drew significant attention, spotlighting the challenges of ensuring a respectful work environment across its vast network of franchises?
In December 2021, McDonald's settled with former CEO Steve Easterbrook, who had been fired in 2019 after admitting to misconduct. Initially, Easterbrook claimed there was just one relationship with an employee, but a 2020 investigation uncovered multiple affairs and evidence he had tried to cover up.
As part of the settlement, he returned over $105 million in cash and stock options he had received. This deal ended the lawsuit without a long court battle, allowing McDonald’s to focus on its operations while reinforcing its commitment to a safe workplace with new training for employees worldwide.
In 2004, Super Size Me shook up the fast-food world by documenting Morgan Spurlock's 30-day binge on only McDonald's meals. As Spurlock's health rapidly declined—gaining weight, damaging his liver, and suffering other issues—the documentary triggered a media storm and a public backlash against the fast-food giant.
McDonald’s was forced to respond by scrapping the “Super Size” option and adding healthier items like salads and fruit. While the film sparked important conversations about the health risks of fast food, its actual impact on McDonald’s long-term sales is still debated, with the company adapting quickly to consumer demands.
In 2012, McDonald's came under fire for its use of "pink slime" in its burgers. The term refers to lean, finely textured beef that was treated with ammonium hydroxide, a chemical used to kill bacteria and pathogens. This process created a pinkish product that looked far from appetizing and was considered by some to be unfit for human consumption.
The controversy gained momentum after celebrity chef Jamie Oliver featured it on his TV show, drawing widespread public attention. Although the USDA classified the product as safe, critics argued that it was a cheap filler, and the negative media attention led McDonald's to announce it would no longer use pink slime in its burgers. The decision reflected growing consumer demand for transparency and higher-quality food ingredients.
In 1994, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman, became the face of one of the most infamous lawsuits in history after spilling a cup of McDonald's coffee on her lap. The coffee was served at a scalding 180–190°F, causing severe burns, leading to hospitalization and multiple skin grafts. When Liebeck first sought compensation, she asked for $20,000, but McDonald's offered a mere $800.
Feeling slighted, she took them to court, where it was revealed that McDonald's had over 700 prior complaints about the dangerously high temperature of their coffee. The jury initially awarded her $2.86 million in damages (later reduced), but the case was settled out of court. You'd think this wouldn't happen again, but this has occurred several times. In one incident, a Florida jury awarded $800,000 for hot coffee burning a toddler.
In 2023, McDonald's found itself at the center of controversy due to significant child labor violations. The fast-food giant's eagerness to fill staffing shortages led to widespread breaches of labor laws, with minors clocking excessive hours and handling hazardous equipment without proper oversight.
A key incident occurred in Kentucky, where a Labor Department investigation uncovered over 300 minors, including two 10-year-olds, working illegally at McDonald's franchises.
In 2019, McDonald’s found itself dishing out a hefty $26 million settlement after workers in California claimed the fast-food giant wasn’t playing by the labor law book. The class-action lawsuit, which was filed in 2013, accused McDonald's of everything from skimping on minimum wage and overtime pay to skipping out on required meal and rest breaks.
Workers also complained about having to pay for uniform upkeep themselves. While McDonald's insisted it followed the rules, it ultimately decided to pay up and settle. As part of the deal, the company promised to up its game with mandatory training for staff and better compliance with pay and break regulations, aiming to prevent future complaints.
In 2014, McDonald's faced a scandal when Shanghai Husi Food Co, its supplier, was discovered repackaging expired meat and changing production dates. This led to a significant food safety issue as the tainted meat reached McDonald's outlets in China.
Chinese authorities responded by fining Shanghai Husi Food Co and OSI a combined $3.6 million, banning certain executives, and imposing prison sentences. OSI Group, the U.S. parent company, issued public apologies, highlighting serious concerns about food safety and supply chain oversight.
