McDonald's confirmed all company owned restaurant employees will be paid during Queen Elizabeth's funeral - but franchisees will make their own pay decisions.
McDonald's has issued the update following concerns for the payment of staff during the bank holiday on Monday, September 19. McDonald's announced on Wednesday, September 14 the restaurant chain had made the decision to close the restaurants on the day of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.
Her Majesty died at her Balmoral estate on Thursday, September 8 aged 96. King Charles III declared Monday a bank holiday to allow the country to mourn.
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A McDonald's spokesperson told the BBC the decision to close the restaurant was made "to allow our people to pay their respects in the way they choose". In a statement put out on Twitter, McDonald's said: "In honour of HM Queen Elizabeth II and to enable everyone at McDonald's to pay their respects, our restaurants across the UK will be closed from midnight until 5pm on Monday 19th September."
Deliveries will also not be available until after 5pm. The company said operating hours and services may vary after that time, and advised customers to check before going to one of their restaurants.
The ECHO asked McDonald's if all staff would be paid for the Monday following the decision to close all restaurants. A McDonald's spokesperson told the ECHO: "I can confirm all company owned restaurant employees will be paid for their scheduled hours."
But a spokesperson on Twitter also said "our franchisees make their own decisions on pay". According to McDonald's website, there are approximately 1,300 restaurants in the UK - 1,100 are franchised.
The spokesperson added: "Our franchisees make their own decision on pay and we will be working with their teams to determine their approach including rescheduling hours when they reopen." The spokesperson added the decision to close "was up to our franchisees...all have decided to close for at least the same hours as the company owned restaurants."
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