The claim
McDonald's is permanently closing all branches in Germany.
Our conclusion
This statement is incorrect. The closures were temporary and due to an IT disruption and do not mean a permanent exit from the German market.
The common claim about McDonald's closing
A viral TikTok video and an article on news64.net spread the claim that McDonald's would permanently close all branches in Germany. The news caused a huge stir among fast food fans, generating hundreds of thousands of reactions and over 20,000 comments. The post showed a screenshot of a news headline indicating a complete shutdown.
But what was really behind it?
The fact check
Investigation into the claim shows that the news64.net article and TikTok post are misleading. Essentially, it is about the temporary closure of some branches due to an IT failure on March 15, 2024 and not about a final withdrawal from the German market, which was not clear from the title of the article. If you continue reading the article, this becomes clearer.
A spokeswoman for McDonald's Germany confirmed to the German Press Agency that there were no plans to permanently close all German branches. The company has solved the IT problem and wants to expand further in Germany. Around 500 new restaurants and the modernization of around 1,000 existing locations are planned.
What we found out
The original claim of a permanent closure of all McDonald's restaurants in Germany is demonstrably false. The temporary closures were solely due to an IT malfunction, which has now been resolved. Rather, McDonald's Germany is pursuing an aggressive expansion strategy and is planning to open and modernize numerous restaurants in Germany. So the viral message has no truth regarding a permanent closure.
questions and answers
Question 1: Is McDonald's actually closing all branches in Germany?
Answer 1: No, this statement is incorrect. The closures were temporary due to an IT glitch.
Question 2: Is the IT problem resolved?
Answer 2: Yes, the IT problem was resolved and all branches were able to reopen.
Question 3: Was the IT disruption related to cybersecurity?
Answer 3: No, it was not a cybersecurity incident.
Question 4: Is a permanent closure of all McDonald's branches in Germany planned?
Answer 4: No, instead the company is planning to expand in Germany.
Question 5: What expansion strategy is McDonald's pursuing in Germany?
Answer 5: McDonald's plans to open around 500 new restaurants and modernize almost 1,000 existing restaurants in the next few years.
Conclusion
McDonald's closure rumors have turned out to be a misunderstanding. This was a temporary measure due to an IT glitch that has already been resolved.
We encourage our readers to approach viral news critically and check facts before sharing information. Stay informed and question information to avoid false reports.
Source: DPA
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )