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“Sach mein bandh ho raha hai, kya?” asks a 20-year-old woman working at one of the few McDonald’s outlets still open in Delhi. She hesitates while she tops off a McFlurry’s Small cup with a generous helping of Oreo shavings, then turns to ponder the question. “If it does, I will have to look for another source of income. Currently, I live with my family and this is my only means of livelihood.”
Will she have to look for another job? McDonald’s outlets across the city presently rest in a vortex of uncertainty after the US-based fast food giant terminated its franchise agreement with Connaught Plaza Restaurant Limited (CPRL) on Monday – which means that 169 outlets across north and east India may shut down. This also means that, in case of such an eventuality, more than 10,000 people will lose their jobs.
Also Read: Lovin’ It No Longer, McDonald’s Ends Franchise Agreement With CPRL
Are McDonald’s employees prepped for the outcome? Several of them across outlets in Laxmi Nagar, Sector 18 Noida, South Extension Part II and Ansal Plaza spoke to The Quint on the condition of anonymity.
Has he started looking for another job? He says he will now, then points out his colleague standing next to him who he says has been working at this outlet for 3 years. The colleague agrees:
Are such sentiments well-founded, though? Most outlet managers are quick to rebuff the on-ground panic. While several remain tight-lipped, pointing to PR releases, some say they’re sure they’ll come out of this just fine. Says one young manager:
Several employees also vouch for the fact that the employees who used to work at the 43 outlets that have already been shut down, have been incorporated into the folds of other outlets. (For those not in the know, 43 outlets out of 55 in the national capital, were shut in June due to non-renewal of eating house licenses by local authorities.) Says an employee at McDonald’s, South Ex Part II:
It is a sentiment that is echoed by most employees. While fear about the unknown looms large, everyone The Quint spoke to has confirmed that they haven’t been laid off and have also been receiving their salaries.
The controversy began in 2013, when Vikram Bakshi (MD of CPRL) was reinstated after being ousted earlier the same year for alleged misuse of funds. The duo have been locked in a protracted battle for years. In a statement to Economic Times, Bakshi had said that, “McDonald’s action was desperate” and that he was considering appropriate legal remedies.
As of now, however, more than 10,000 employees wait with bated breath to see what their company will do to put their apprehensions to rest.
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