In response to feedback from families, McDonald’s UAE partners with Dubai Autism Center to provide specialized employee training and introduce autism-friendly experiences across 15 restaurants in Dubai.
Dubai, UAE – October , 2026: McDonald’s UAE has officially been awarded the “Autism-Friendly” certificate by the Dubai Autism Center, becoming the first quick-service restaurant (QSR) in the UAE to attain this prestigious accreditation. The first phase of this initiative saw 15 restaurants across Dubai successfully fulfill the program’s comprehensive standards.
The step was taken in response to direct feedback from families of children with autism, who have frequently reached out to McDonald’s UAE to inquire whether its restaurants are autism-friendly and if employees are equipped to accommodate their children’s specific needs.
Driven by a commitment to creating a more welcoming, comfortable, and inclusive dining experience, and to fulfill the stringent requirements of the Dubai Autism Center’s Autism-Friendly Program, McDonald’s UAE implemented specialized training for its restaurant employees. This training is specifically designed to increase staff understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder, raise awareness regarding different sensory and communication needs, and equip teams with practical approaches to effectively support autistic guests and their families.
In addition to comprehensive employee training, the certified participating restaurants will offer dedicated Autism Friendly Kits, which provide practical sensory tools to support individuals with varying sensory needs during their visit.
Walid Fakih, CEO of McDonald’s UAE, said: “Listening to our customers and understanding their needs is an important part of how we continue to improve the McDonald’s experience. Feedback from families of children with autism encouraged us to explore how we could make our restaurants more welcoming and comfortable for them. Through our partnership with Dubai Autism Center, we have translated this feedback into action by providing specialized training for our teams. We are pleased to launch this initiative across 15 restaurants in Dubai as a first phase, with plans to gradually expand to more locations across other emirates, ensuring more families can enjoy a comfortable and inclusive dining experience.”
Mohammed Al Emadi, CEO and Board Member of the Dubai Autism Center, stated: “Corporate Social Responsibility is not merely a philanthropic commitment, but a fundamental pillar for driving sustainable social impact and fostering genuine community integration. Private sector leadership plays a pivotal role in creating inclusive environments that empower People of Determination to fully participate and thrive in society.”
Al Emadi added: “We extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to McDonald’s UAE for their pioneering leadership and initiative as the first quick-service restaurant chain in the region to partner with us in implementing autism-friendly standards. Their dedication to specialized employee training and sensory accessibility sets a benchmark for corporate citizenship and inclusive service excellence.”
The first phase of the initiative includes 15 McDonald’s UAE restaurants across Dubai:
- Al Ghurair Center
- Al Bustan Center
- Jumeirah Beach
- Spinneys
- Garhoud
- Umm Suqeim 2
- The Walk JBR
- JBR Murjan
- Bluewaters
- South Heights
- Green Community
- JLT Cluster M
- Oasis Mall Dubai
- Sports City
- ENOC Al Khamila Street
The MoU signed between McDonald’s UAE and DAC establishes a framework for continued collaboration, with both organizations working together to strengthen autism awareness, support inclusive practices and explore opportunities to expand the initiative.
About McDonald’s UAE:
McDonald’s UAE has been serving customers across the UAE since 1994. Owned and operated by Emirates Fast Food Company LLC, a 100% locally owned company, the brand today operates more than 200 restaurants and employs a diverse team of over 6,500 people. With food quality and safety at the heart of its operations, McDonald’s UAE is dedicated to maintaining high standards across its menu and McCafé offerings.
Beyond its restaurants, McDonald’s UAE has established partnerships and initiatives that support local communities, encourage active lifestyles and promote environmental responsibility. Through its longstanding partnership with Emirates Red Crescent, the brand supports the Red Crescent Medical Center, which provides free healthcare to those in need. Further strengthening its commitment to community inclusion, McDonald’s UAE has collaborated with Dubai Autism Center to introduce autism-friendly restaurants, with employees receiving specialized training to better understand and accommodate individuals with autism and their families.
Recognizing the important role sports play in bringing communities together, McDonald’s UAE launched its Junior Sports Academy to make sports more accessible to children and families. The initiative has welcomed more than 3,000 children to date and continues to grow, providing opportunities for young participants to develop their skills and embrace active lifestyles. The brand’s support for sports also extends to the national level through its partnership as an official sponsor of the UAE Football Association’s Men’s National Team.
Environmental responsibility has also been part of McDonald’s UAE’s operations for over a decade. Since 2011, the brand has partnered with Neutral Fuels to convert used cooking oil into biodiesel, enabling its logistics fleet to travel more than 32 million kilometers on biodiesel while avoiding over 29 million kilograms of CO₂ equivalent emissions.
About Dubai Autism Center:
The Dubai Autism Center was established in 2001 by a decree of the Ruler of Dubai as the first Emirati non-profit organization in the UAE that aims to provide integrated consulting, educational, and specialized therapeutic services in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As per Decree No. 26 of 2021, one of the Center’s main objectives is to contribute to making the Emirate of Dubai a global leading hub in the field of providing approved special education programs and specialized rehabilitative treatment services for people diagnosed with ASD.
