PRESS RELEASE: McDonald’s Advances Global Youth Employment, Surpassing its Two Million Goal Two Years Early with International Youth Foundation

Over 2.2M young people worldwide gained job skills and employment opportunities through leadership development programs, exceeding the goal two years ahead of schedule despite Covid challenges

[BALTIMORE] – McDonald’s, in collaboration with the International Youth Foundation (IYF), has surpassed its global Youth Opportunity (YO) goal to reduce barriers to employment for 2 million young people by providing pre-employment job readiness training, employment opportunities, and workplace development programs around the world. The milestone comes two years ahead of the goal’s 2025 target, as dedicated partners drove widespread program awareness and boosted interest worldwide. As of December 2023, approximately 2.2 million young people have participated in training programs and/or have been hired in McDonald’s or participating Franchisee restaurants since 2018.   

"Together, we have made significant strides in empowering youth and breaking down barriers to employment. This milestone underscores the importance of collective action and underscores the potential for positive change when organizations unite in pursuit of a common goal," said Jorge Barragan, Executive Vice President of Programs at IYF.  

In 2018, McDonald’s and IYF launched the YO Program in the U.S. to help address the unique challenges young people face in accessing meaningful employment opportunities and fostering their personal and professional growth. YO offers vital life skills training through its Passport to Success curriculum, fosters interest and connection to different career pathways through the YO Ambassadors program, and strengthens the voice and sense of agency among youth through the YO Global Youth Council.  

"We are proud to help equip young people worldwide with the skills and resources needed to thrive in the workforce – no matter if it’s at McDonald’s or beyond. Reaching 2.2 million young people through our YO program is a testament to the transformative impact of collaborative efforts and dedicated partnerships," said Monica Tijerina, Senior Director of Social Impact at McDonald’s. “Achieving our goal at such an accelerated pace would not have been possible without dedicated partners like IYF that worked tirelessly with our team to raise program awareness and drive participation.” 

Following the completion of the YO goal, McDonald’s is furthering its momentum and assessing potential new opportunities through our comprehensive global approach to help additional populations facing barriers to employment including, but not limited to, youth, senior citizens and people with disabilities. McDonald’s remains steadfast in its commitment globally and looks forward to continued collaboration in helping to build a brighter future for generations to come.  

For media inquiries, please contact Arpine Baghdasarian, IYF Director of Communications and Marketing, or +1-410-951-2314.

About IYF

The International Youth Foundation® (IYF®) stands by, for, and with young people. Founded in 1990 through a generous grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, IYF is a global nonprofit with programs directly benefiting 8.1 million young people and operations spanning 105 countries so far. Together with local community-based organizations and a network of corporate, foundation, and multilateral partners, we connect young people with opportunities to transform their lives. We believe that educated, employed, engaged young people possess the power to solve the world’s toughest problems, and we focus our youth development efforts on three linked objectives: unlocking agency, driving economic opportunity, and making systems more inclusive. Our vision is to see young people inspired and equipped to realize the future they want. The International Youth Foundation: Transforming Lives, Together. To learn more about the International Youth Foundation, please join us at iyfglobal.org.

About McDonald’s 

McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with over 40,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 95% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners.