because customers in the region and elsewhere have been boycotting the chain for its perceived support of Israel.

With more, here's the BBC's Michelle Fleury in New York.

Some major Western brands have found themselves hit by grassroots, often unplanned boycotts because of their stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

And this includes McDonald's.

The burger chain became a target after photos and videos on social media showed franchise stores in Israel giving away thousands of free meals to the members of the Israeli military.

And this led to calls for boycotts of the brand by those angered by Israel's military response in Gaza.

Owners in Muslim-majority countries such as Kuwait, Malaysia, and Pakistan, well, they put out statements distancing themselves.

In a message on LinkedIn, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempinski wrote that the burger chain is experiencing a meaningful business impact due to the war and associated misinformation;

all of this in the Middle East and beyond because of the war in Gaza.

He added, "This is disheartening and ill founded," pointing out that many of the restaurants are operated by local owners.

What he didn't do is elaborate on the scale of the impact.

But McDonald's has around 2000 restaurants in the region.

And McDonald's isn't the only global brand to face controversy over its response.

Others include Starbucks and Unilever, showing how tough it is for companies to navigate such a politically-charged conflict.