To show appreciation for its employees, McDonald’s is giving bonuses to hourly workers at corporate stores.
The bonus to employees will equal 10 percent of pay in May.
McDonald’s said the show of gratitude is in addition to other measures they’ve implemented for employees including nearly 50 safety procedures, such as protective barriers, wellness checks, masks, and gloves; paid sick leave for those impacted by COVID-19; doubled Q1 bonuses for eligible managers ranging from $800 to $4,000; a 24/7 nurse hotline for employees and their families; and emotional support counseling sessions.
MCDONALD’S CEO: CUSTOMER WILL RETURN TO FAMILIAR BRANDS
“McDonald’s restaurant employees have been and will continue to be our primary focus through this crisis,” the fast-food chain said in a statement. “They are vital to serving our customers and supporting our communities. Throughout this crisis, they’ve been there— managing through waves of uncertainty and never wavering in their commitment. Beyond that, so many of our franchisees are providing enhanced compensation programs—appreciation pay, bonuses, gift cards, and more—to show people how much they’re valued. These actions and many others show our people that we care about their safety, security, and well-being.”
McDonald’s joins other major chains that decided to reward employees with bonuses for their work amid the crisis. Starbucks introduced “Service Pay”—an additional $3 per hour for working employees—which will run through May. Chipotle gave hourly employees a 10 percent pay increase through mid-April and announced bonuses in the amount of $6.5 million for field leaders, general managers, and apprentices. Wingstop is providing incentive pay that allows employees to earn up to $150 more per week.
At the end of April, 99 percent of U.S. McDonald’s stores were open via drive-thru, delivery, and takeout. Domestic closures are mainly location-based, like mall venues. Worldwide, 75 percent of stores were open.
The brand’s global same-store sales dropped 3.4 percent in Q1 while U.S. stores experienced growth of 0.1 percent. McDonald’s ended Q1 with more than $5 billion in cash on the balance sheet.
