McDonald's announced Thursday that it is expanding its “Archways to Opportunity” education benefits program for its workers, tripling the amount some employees qualify for each year for college tuition. The company will allocate $150 million to the global program over five years.
According to a statement from McDonald’s, there will also be a change in eligibility rules for the program which will allow 400,000 U.S. restaurant employees accessibility to the program.
The tuition assistance for McDonald’s crew members will be raised from $700 to $2,500 per year and will go up from $1,050 to $3,000 for restaurant managers.
The company explains that the expansion of their program was "accelerated by changes in the U.S. tax law."
“Since its inception, Archways to Opportunity was meant to match the ambition and drive of restaurant crew with the means and network to help them find success on their own terms,” David Fairhurst, McDonald’s Chief People Officer commented on the change. “By tripling tuition assistance, adding education benefits for family members and lowering eligibility requirements to the equivalent of a summer job, we are sending a signal that if you come work at your local McDonald’s, we’ll invest in your future.”
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has repeatedly dismissed the bonuses and increased benefits that companies announced following the passage of the GOP tax reform bill as “crumbs.”
However, since the passage of the tax bill has passed with fierce opposition from Democrats, over 250 companies have handed out bonuses, increased wages, and expanded benefits. A majority of Americans now support the tax reform bill.