McDonald's Cardi B & Offset Meal has been quite the hit. The date-night combo meal was first introduced as part of a Super Bowl commercial starring the celebrity couple, and TikTok has had no shortage of videos about it. But along the way, the collaboration has found some critic—and they just so happen to be McDonald's franchise owners.
According to The Takeout, emails reviewed by the Wall Street Journal let it be known that franchisees believe that Cardi B and Offset's lyrics and lifestyle don't align with the family-friendly image McDonald's would like to portray. Most recently, though, the rapper and mom of two's lifestyle choices have mostly consisted of railing against grocery prices.
Additionally, Fortune reports that those franchise owners have expressed that the inclusion of Cardi B and Offset, both hip-hop artists, in a campaign for McDonald's specifically breaks something called the Golden Arches Code. (Yes, that's a real thing.)
“Partnerships with celebrities and influencers that have potential risk to damage our brand based on statements they have made or their positions on certain issues” and “music partnerships associated with content that includes offensive language in the lyrics" are not permitted by McDonald's, according to documents reviewed by Bloomberg News.
Despite the backlash from franchisees, McDonald's doesn't seem to be fazed. Last week, a representative for the chain shared a statement with TMZ regarding the matter.
"McDonald’s stands behind our partnership with Cardi B and Offset. They have been incredible partners and we support them as a family," the rep said.
