McDonald’s spies on its local managers

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From Der Spiegel in Germany:

03/08/2010

Super Spy Me

McDonald’s Demands Franchise Applicants Reveal Intimate Details

Those wanting to own a McDonald’s or Subway franchise in Germany must be prepared to offer up intimate personal details, including health information. One German official says the questionnaires violate the law.

One might think that the prerequisites for becoming the owner of a McDonald’s franchise would be relatively straightforward. Decent business acumen, a management background, perhaps a well-practiced burger-flipping technique. The rest, it would seem, should take care of itself.

But as it turns out, you also have to be comfortable with exposing intimate personal details. According to information obtained by SPIEGEL, those wanting to partner with the fast-food chain Subway must agree to a background check “in accordance with anti-terror legislation” such as the US Patriot Act.

The report must also include information about the applicant’s character, lifestyle and relationships. Future franchise owners are also asked whether they have ever been part of a terrorist organization.

Potential McDonald’s franchise holders, meanwhile, are grilled about extra-marital affairs and health problems. Indeed, potential proprietors are asked about the date and the reason for their last visit to the doctor.

Moritz Karg, a data-protection official in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, says that the companies’ practices are “unacceptable under data-protection laws” on the books in Germany.

McDonald’s Germany Accused of ‘Harassment and Pure Manipulation’: here.

A curb on new fast food venues has slashed childhood obesity, the local authority responsible has claimed: here.

Corporate Accountability International, the modern incarnation of Infact and the Nestlé (no relation) boycott, has just launched the Retire Ronald campaign as part of its Value [the] Meal initiative: here.

The Pet Food Charade — Pet Food Marketing Targets Pet Owners Emotional Needs and Not Pets’ Health: here.