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Stories

Why Has McDonald’s Closed Over 2,000 U.S. Locations In The Last 2 Years?

by Jane Kenney

4 years ago

It is no secret that many restaurants, and especially retail stores, have been closing like crazy over the last few years. With Toys “R” Us, Mattress Firm, and even Walgreens/Rite Aid stores closing up due to massive debt and other competition, let’s not forget that McDonald’s has been quietly closing their own locations as well.

The fast-food chain has closed over 2,000 locations in the last 2 years. According to Reader’s Digest, the chain has decreased from 15,828 franchises in 2016 to 13,948 in 2018. Rhode Island, in particular, has experienced the biggest decline of the chain. They are down to 31 restaurants this year from 44 in 2016, which is nearly a 30% decline.

mcdonalds closing locations
Mike Mozart / Flickr

According to analysts at 24/7 Wall Street, the franchises are closing due to company management discouraging “mom and pop” businesses, thus the number of customers declining through the years, especially in food services. Despite McDonald’s closing so many locations, there has actually been an increase in other states as well.

California has the highest number of McDonald’s restaurants in the country with 1,295 restaurants. Hawaii has also experienced a 13.8% increase of McDonald’s restaurants. So, it’s not looking all that bad for the fast-food chain!

mcdonalds closing locations
David Schott / Flickr

In addition to the 2,000 stores that have already closed in the United States, McDonald’s is set to open 2,000 more locations internationally by late 2022. It seems as though these 2,000 locations are making the move from America to China based on McDonald’s seeking more of an investment in Asia territory. So, why is McDonald’s investing their expansion into China?

“Asia represents a significant area of opportunity for McDonald’s to blend our global quality standards with local insights and expertise from partners who share our vision and values,” said CEO Steve Easterbrook.

mcdonalds closing locations
Chris / Flickr

With the CEO’s announcement of wishing to expand internationally, there have also been reports of partnering with Taiwan and Japan to open more restaurants there, but nothing on that has been confirmed. Easterbrook took over as McDonald’s CEO only recently and plans to lean much more heavily on franchising and expanding internationally.

McDonald’s plans to sell 3,500 company-owned locations to franchisees by 2018, meaning its share of franchised restaurants will expand 81-90% globally. This technique that Easterbrook is going by is allegedly a cheaper and more efficient way of operating restaurants.

mcdonalds closing locations
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Comments

  1. Erin Brown says

    October 10, 2018 at 2:08 pm

    I just can’t believed of this news?

  2. Adaline Devies says

    October 10, 2018 at 2:09 pm

    All company had upside and downside of their business, why are we surprised?

  3. Abby Neson says

    October 10, 2018 at 2:11 pm

    it the deli ma of all business food chain, they all suffered from that downside and loosing some of their investment! That is part of getting into business win or loose!

  4. Abby Neson says

    October 10, 2018 at 2:24 pm

    no worries, McDonald marketing style are excellent!

  5. Abby Neson says

    October 10, 2018 at 2:24 pm

    that is true!

  6. RichardAaren says

    October 10, 2018 at 2:26 pm

    McDonald is part of our childhood fav foodchain! our kiddos and I, we love to collect toys from meal!

  7. RichardAaren says

    October 10, 2018 at 2:27 pm

    Nothing to worry, they can survive!

  8. RichardAaren says

    October 10, 2018 at 2:28 pm

    yeah, they got this!

  9. John Arbie Ravns says

    October 10, 2018 at 2:30 pm

    for me they are still the best cheese burger in my town. I grew up with this foodchain!

  10. John Arbie Ravns says

    October 10, 2018 at 2:35 pm

    I am very certain of this comment and I agree as well!

  11. Pam Williams says

    November 5, 2018 at 1:47 am

    I love McDonald’s they are good keep them in Oklahoma and Texas. They keep their prices low and have specials for 1.00 and 2.00 online deals to on ure cell phone too how Awsome is that. Pam. Williams Prague Oklahoma

  12. ricckky says

    November 5, 2018 at 12:02 pm

    Can someone explain to me what the hell they are talking about!? Discouraging “MOM AND POP” businesses? Don’t have a clue what they are talking about–For some reason I am having trouble understanding many of these “long on headline” stories and short on facts!!!!-Please explain to me!!!

  13. Steve McBeezelbub says

    November 5, 2018 at 11:24 pm

    And isn’t a ‘mom and pop’ business when referring to McDonalds a franchise owner? Later in this article they say the company is selling company owned locations to franchisees. How is this not contradictory?

  14. shahid says

    January 28, 2019 at 7:28 am

    Nice article thanks for sharing

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  15. shahid says

    January 28, 2019 at 7:29 am

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