McDonald’s Apologises for E. Coli Outbreak Amid Struggles with Declining Sales

McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski has issued a public apology following an E. coli outbreak linked to the chain’s Quarter Pounders in the U.S., marking a significant setback as the company grapples with declining sales. “We are sorry for what our customers experienced,” Kempczinski said. “We offer our sincere and deepest sympathies and are committed to making this right.”

The outbreak has led to a proposed class-action lawsuit from two affected customers, while others have also taken legal action. Despite these challenges, executives assured investors that the public health scare was contained and unlikely to have a lasting impact on sales.

However, the incident has added to existing pressures McDonald’s faces as budget-conscious consumers dine out less frequently. In the three months leading to September, sales at stores open for at least a year dropped by 1.5%, following a 1% decline in the previous quarter. This marks the chain’s steepest sales fall in four years.

International markets, including the UK, France, China, and the Middle East, were hit particularly hard. Despite the struggles, McDonald’s has seen some positive momentum in the U.S., where a $5 Happy Meal promotion and the introduction of a new chicken sandwich have helped boost customer interest.

Kempczinski emphasized that the company remains focused on providing “value and affordability” to attract budget-conscious customers as they continue to be mindful of their spending.

This apology and effort to rebuild trust come at a crucial time as McDonald’s aims to stabilize its global performance and regain consumer confidence following the outbreak.