McDonald’s Georgia owner slams own management for apology over brochures on Elton John

Temur Chkonia, the owner of the McDonald’s most popular restaurant chains in Georgia, on Friday claimed his management’s apology for the brochures in the happy meal children menu depicting a well-known British singer Elton John, had not been agreed with him, and was deleted from social media shortly after its publication. 

The company’s social media post apologised for the brochure that tells about the singer’s life, including his family and adoption of children, with domestic far-right activities, several officials and the government-run media accusing Chkonia of promoting LGBT propaganda. 

In his comments, Chkonia claimed there was “nothing to apologise for ”, adding the brochures had been distributed by the McDonald’s global chain and had been translated by the domestic representation in Georgia. 

In the already deleted post, the company explained the said edition had been licensed and prohibited changes in the content in any way during the translation, excusing for making a “direct and a rude”  translation of sections over sexual orientation. 

“I was at the meeting and nearly received a heart attack when I read [my company’s] statement”, Chkonia claimed, adding “there is nothing apologetic about what McDonald’s Global is doing. I am insulted, I do not know how I will handle this issue”. 

In comments on the controversies, Sopho Chkonia, daughter of Temur Chkonia, said “we live in a sad reality, when dark forces and illiteracy are more than common sense”.  In her social media post, Sopho Chkonia said the topic had gone beyond the McDonald’s topic and directly concerned her family.

“I have received many threats and insults in private and public spaces. I do not care who planned it, what they planned and for what, although everything is clear”, she said, adding neither she, nor her father had ever been engaged in any propaganda, but added “I categorically condemn homophobia and the right to limit or take away a person’s choice”. 

Chkonia has many times slammed the current authorities for its decisions over the years. 

Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, earlier this week accused McDonalds Georgia of LGBT propaganda, which he said was “catastrophic”.