Overview
- Effective Jan. 1, 2026, McDonald’s will evaluate franchisees on how local prices deliver customer value under new global standards.
- Continued noncompliance may trigger penalties, including restrictions on new openings or termination of a franchise, according to internal memos.
- Operators will retain local pricing control but gain access to approved consultants, analytics tools and resources to guide decisions.
- The push follows value-led offers in the U.S., France and Germany that helped lift comparable sales, as leadership warns pressures on consumers will extend into 2026.
- With roughly 95% of restaurants franchised, the tighter oversight is expected to face resistance from some U.S. operators who want corporate help to make discounts sustainable.