Many who witnessed the signage shift felt as though they had stepped into an alternate reality, sparking speculation that it was linked to McDonald’s ongoing dispute with Wendy’s. However, this assumption was proven false. A spokesperson clarified that the reversal of the iconic arches was actually part of a broader “celebration of women everywhere.”
McDonald’s chose to implement this symbolic change at its Lynwood, California location while retaining its usual social media logos. In addition, employees proudly sported caps and shirts adorned with the “W”-shaped insignia. Furthermore, 100 restaurants across the nation offered special packaging featuring the logo.
McDonald’s Chief Diversity Officer, Wendy Lewis, explained the significance of the gesture: “To celebrate the remarkable achievements of women everywhere, especially in our restaurants, we flipped our iconic arches for International Women’s Day for the first time in our brand’s history.”
According to Lauren Altman, a spokesperson for the brand, the updated design was intended to honor women on a global scale: “We have a long history of enabling women to grow and succeed in the workplace through empowerment.”
Altman continued, highlighting McDonald’s commitment to diversity: “We are proud to share that, in the United States, six out of ten restaurant managers are women today. We take pride in our diversity.” Additionally, all social media platforms for the company will feature updated versions of its logo, and 100 locations will receive new “packaging, crew shirts, hats, and bag stuffers.”