McDonald's is celebrating International Women's Day on Thursday in a unique way: It flipped its iconic "Golden Arches" upside down to read "W" instead of "M."
In a press release, the fast-food company said its leaders and employees "recognize the extraordinary contribution of women" to its brand.
Today, we flip our Golden Arches to celebrate the women who have chosen McDonald's to be a part of their story, like the Williams family. In the U.S. we’re proud to share that 6 out of 10 restaurant managers are women. https://t.co/6z88OhjXpO https://t.co/hXfOi3wWQf
"In the U.S., we're proud to share that 6 out of 10 restaurant managers are women," McDonald's said. "They run the McDonald's business each and every day. So, in honor of women everywhere, we're flipping our iconic logo for International Women's Day."
The "W" appeared at only one location, the McDonald's in Lynwood, California, ABC7 reported. At 100 other locations, all owned by women, the logo will be flipped on bags, packaging, and merch, the station reported.
.@McDonalds in Lynwood is flipping more than just burgers: The company flipped its iconic golden arches into a W for women https://t.co/PZwwCLTkSG https://t.co/LAM33K6Ly1
BuzzFeed News has contacted McDonald's to confirm this.
However, the move made a lot of people online go 🤔.
Hey @McDonalds, maybe instead of a cheap PR stunt where you make the M a W to “support” women, you do something real — like paying your workers a living wage. https://t.co/xoOHRvSQdx
They were just like...?
@McDonalds
Some women thought it was a little too on the nose.
When I started using the term "McFeminism" to refer to the corporate-friendly, HRC fan sort of feminism, I didn't expect McDonalds to actually become one of the biggest examples of the phenomenon 🤦🏻♀️
Hmmm.
@truebe @McDonalds: The W is an upside-down M because women are just upside-down men.
Seems legit.
mcdonalds is flipping the arches on their signs to celebrate international women's day all other days it stood for MEN https://t.co/TRrgCYWVQZ
A lot of trolling occurred.
I feel personally victimized and not at all supported as a woman by these rightside-up Ms!!! @McDonalds https://t.co/auHETzRtqi https://t.co/sY26yJVAh0
Roasted.
McDonalds: In celebration of women we are flipping the arches upside down. Or you could give your employees better benefits. McD: Look it's a W! Maybe a living wage? Better family leave? A career path forward in the face of automation? McD: The W stands for women.
Although some women were into it.
Love what @McDonalds is doing for #InternationalWomansDay. So cool https://t.co/Ifvoq6k4je
They thought it was something special.
W for strength. W for patience. W for forging ahead. W for challenging norms. W for love. W for endurance. W for ambition. W, also, for @McDonalds. Good one, guys. #IWD18 https://t.co/C0o8dO5IsS
And some people were just confused.
@McDonalds why is the golden arch upside down
Happy International Women's Day!
if mcdonalds can flip their sign upside down in honor of international women’s day they can also fix their ice cream machines im just sayin
McDonald's didn't immediately return a request for comment on the backlash.