McDonald’s Pulls the Plug in Chicago and California — But Don’t Worry, It’s Not the Hamburglar This Time

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By Jonny Johnson | CanAmericaNews.com

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and lovers of lukewarm fries everywhere — we’ve got a Big Mac-sized problem.

McDonald’s, the golden-arched temple of late-night regret and childhood obesity, is quietly ghosting major American cities. And no, it’s not because they finally realized the McRib is a culinary war crime. It’s because Chicago is turning into Gotham without Batman, and California thinks a McDouble should come with a union rep.
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Let’s break it down for the folks in the back.

Chicago: Where the Ice Cream Machine Isn’t the Only Thing Broken

In the Windy City — home of deep dish pizza, political corruption, and now, empty McDonald’s — several downtown locations have shut their doors. Why? Because apparently, you need more than just a fryer and a soda fountain to run a restaurant these days. You also need a full-time security team, Narcan, and a prayer.

According to McDonald’s own CEO (yes, the guy who probably hasn’t eaten a McNugget since 2003), crime is so bad downtown that employees don’t even want to show up. And when your fry cook is more scared of the lunch rush than a stick-up, you’ve got a problem.

One Loop location reportedly had drug overdoses inside the restaurant. That’s not a Happy Meal, that’s a horror movie. And it’s not just one store — multiple McDonald’s have vanished from the downtown map like they were never there.

But don’t worry, the corporate HQ is still in Chicago. Because nothing says “we care” like watching the city burn from a high-rise office with bulletproof glass.

California: The $20 Minimum Wage Combo Meal

Now let’s cruise over to sunny California — where the beaches are beautiful, the taxes are high, and the fries are now a luxury item.

In April 2024, the state passed a law bumping the fast-food minimum wage to $20 an hour. That’s right, folks. In California, your McChicken now costs more than your monthly Netflix subscription.

The result? Mass layoffs, store closures, and franchise owners crying into their ketchup packets. And while crime isn’t the main villain here, the real killer is economics. You can’t run a business when your labor costs more than your product.

One franchisee said it best: “We’re not closing because of crime. We’re closing because we can’t afford to sell burgers at these prices unless we start accepting Bitcoin.”

So What’s the Moral of the Story?

Whether it’s crime-ridden chaos in Chicago or economic suicide in California, McDonald’s is pulling out of major cities faster than your ex after you mentioned commitment.

And who loses? We do. The people. The late-night snackers. The hungover college kids. The parents bribing their kids with Happy Meals so they’ll shut up in the back seat.

This isn’t just about burgers. It’s about what happens when cities stop working and governments stop thinking.

Call to Action: Don’t Let the Fries Die in Vain

If you’re tired of watching America’s cities crumble like a stale apple pie, then subscribe to the CanAmericaNews newsletter. We’ll keep bringing you the truth — crispy, hot, and with zero corporate sauce.

Because in a world where even McDonald’s is saying “nah, I’m good,” someone’s gotta keep the grill hot.

👉 Subscribe now. Stay informed. Stay salty. Stay free.

Jonny Johnson
CanAmericaNews.com
“We report what the clown won’t.”