McDonald's looks to improve gender and minority representation amid discrimination claims

Under plans to improve diversity in the company, the fast-food giant said it will up its minority representation in senior roles from 29% to 35% over the next four years.

It has also set a goal of having an equal numbers of men and women in leadership positions by 2030.

Executive pay will be tied to meeting the targets.

The effort follows claims of racial discrimination from black franchisees and executives in the US.

Earlier this month Herbert Washington, a former professional baseball player who was once the largest black McDonald's operator in the US, filed a civil rights lawsuit that accused the company of treating white franchise partners more favourably.

Washington argued that the company’s discriminatory practices has led to a $700,000 (£505,000) sales gap between black-owned franchises and those held by white people.

McDonald’s refuted the accusations, and blamed Washington’s 'years of mismanagement' for the sales disparity.

Similar claims of discrimination have been made against the brand from franchisees and executives in the US previously, leading to the company launching a new diversity, equity and inclusion initiative in July last year.

“We recognise these issues weigh heavily on our people and have heard - loud and clear - that diversity, equity and inclusion are priorities for our entire team, from our crews to our senior leaders,” McDonald’s chief executive Chris Kempczinski wrote in a letter to staff.

“We’re serious about holding ourselves and our leaders accountable to these foundational commitments.”