McDonald's Cutting HQ Staff

Oak Brook, IL - Hundreds of high-level McDonald's office workers at the fast food giant's Oak Brook headquarters may be eligible for voluntary buyouts, as the company prepares to move into the former Harpo Studios location in Chicago's West Loop.

Buyout offers were presented to employees at the director level or higher, according to Crain's Chicago Business, which cited two unnamed sources who were offered packages.

• See also: McDonald's to Move Headquarters from DuPage to Downtown Chicago

McDonald’s has been negotiating with property owner Sterling Bay for the office space of more than 300,000 square feet in the old Harpo Studios campus. If they shake on a deal, McDonald's may construct a new building at the site.

The headquarters move could take place as soon as 2018.

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"If it's true, it would be a sad day for Oak Brook," Village President Gopal Lalmalani told the Chicago Tribune. "I would be disappointed. We have had a very strong partnership with McDonald's."

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