McDonald’s Cuts Corporate Roles, Consolidates Global Support Ahead of GBS Rollout

McDonald’s on November 24 completed a corporate restructuring it presented as part of a broader Accelerating the Arches growth strategy, aimed at removing internal silos and streamlining decision making across the company. The reorganization, labeled Accelerating the Organization, instituted a new Global Business Services unit to centralize shared functions and created a single national oversight model by consolidating regional field offices. Company materials accompanying the changes said the aim is to accelerate priorities around digital operations, delivery, drive thru and development while avoiding direct operational impacts on franchisee run restaurants.

The reorganization included the closure of multiple field offices and reductions in corporate headcount described in the analysis as occurring in the hundreds. McDonald’s previously recognized a pre tax restructuring charge of about $180 million largely tied to severance payments and lease terminations. The company also signaled that additional restructuring related charges are expected through 2027 as the GBS unit is rolled out globally.

For corporate employees the changes mean shifts in roles, reporting lines and centers of support. The consolidation of regional field offices into a single national oversight structure will move many support functions out of local centers and into centralized teams. That is likely to produce role eliminations, relocations, or reassignments for affected staff, and it may change how HR, finance, technology and supply support are delivered to business units. The restructuring related charges tied to severance indicate the company is providing separation payments, and lease termination costs point to physical office closures.

Workplace dynamics at McDonald’s corporate level are expected to evolve as management layers are consolidated and shared services are centralized. Surviving teams may face expanded scopes of responsibility as the company seeks efficiency gains, and some employees may encounter new reporting arrangements or relocated positions. McDonald’s said the changes are designed to sharpen investment in customer facing priorities and corporate capabilities while limiting direct disruption to franchise operations.

Observers and affected employees will be watching implementation details and the timing of further charges through 2027 as the company completes the GBS rollout and transitions support functions into the new structure.