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Last weekend, McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger posted a letter to employees on LinkedIn, saying he was “appalled” by recent events and promising McDonald’s would “provide several opportunities to discuss these issues and our commitment to diversity and inclusion.” On Wednesday, McDonald’s shared a video across social media in support of black communities, and pledged donations to the National Urban League and NAACP.
Last weekend, Starbucks shared a letter from CEO and President Kevin Johnson on its website detailing a forum it held for Starbucks employees, or partners, about “the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and the many other racial injustices that have shaken the entire country and each one of us.”
On social media, the brand shared that the Starbucks Foundation was committing $1 million “to organizations promoting racial equity and more inclusive and just communities,” with those organizations being nominated by Starbucks partners.
Starbucks also worked with longtime partner Arizona State University to design anti-racism resources available for free.
On Wednesday, Chick-fil-A shared a letter from CEO Dan Cathy, originally posted to his LinkedIn account on Tuesday. Cathy acknowledged his own privilege, saying “someone like me cannot fully appreciate and understand the gross injustices that are all around us.” He outlined ways he and the company promote diversity in the brand’s headquarter city of Atlanta, including investments in Morehouse College, health clinics, a center for at-risk young people and others.
Subway on Tuesday shared that it would be “stepping away from social media” to allow important voices space to be heard.
On Monday, Taco Bell shared a letter from CEO Mark King to employees. The letter outlined how the brand and parent company Yum Brands were responding to unrest, including the Taco Bell Foundation continuing “to work with partners that impact communities of color and support youth education.”
Burger King on Monday took to social media, saying, “we stand with you in support of equality and justice for black lives and we will use our platform, our position, and our voice to do so.”
On Monday, Wendy’s shared a letter from its President and CEO Todd Penegor, who said, “What we can do is not remain silent and state clearly that bigotry has no place in our community.”
On social media, the brand shared that it was “committed to donating $500k to support social justice, the youth and education in the Black community starting with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund” and to using its large Twitter platform to “amplify Black voices.”
Dunkin’ on Wednesday shared a letter from its CEO Dave Hoffman, who said Dunkin’ Brands is working with employee resource groups and the NAACP in “looking for ways to hear from more diverse voices so that we have a better understanding of what is taking place across the U.S. and to identify ways to help.”
On Monday, Domino’s posted a letter from its CEO Ritch Allison. Allison said leadership was “reaching out to a number of organizations dedicated to racial equality and social change not just to make a donation, but to engage with and learn from them about very tangible ways we can make a difference.”
Panera’s CEO, Niren Chaudhary, posted on LinkedIn that he was “heartbroken and saddened by the loss of human life, the outpouring of anger and anguish, and the true signs of a nation in pain.” The brand shared parts of his letter across social media.
