McDonald’s USA managers can take free accredited courses toward an associates’ degree at its famed Hamburger University, in Oak Brook, IL.

What do you talk about when you’re sharing an elevator with a company officer for eight long floors? Female managers at this restaurant titan know the answer to that question, thanks to a career development class that encourages them to rehearse their “elevator speech” and greet other opportunities with confidence. Asian, African-American and Hispanic employees also have programs dedicated to their specific advancement, with a focus on cultural issues. Multicultural women can learn how to achieve professional growth and improve their businesses at an annual symposium hosted by the company’s Women’s Leadership Network. And informal conclaves exist throughout the company’s employee networks, including all 22 of its corporate regions. Women of color can trade stories at events like the Sister to Sister workshop, run by the African-American affinity group, or take a day together, as Asian-American employees did at the end of a recent officers’ retreat. An impressive 43% of all restaurant franchisees are women or people of color, and the company is the nation’s largest African-American business.

Multicultural Women 15%
Chairman & CEO Jim Skinner
Chief Global Diversity Officer Patricia Harris

At McDonald’s USA, multicultural women represent…
8% of corporate executives
9% of senior managers
8% of the top earners
15% of the company hires
15% of the company losses
18% of participants in mentoring programs
Not tracked % of participants in career counseling programs