McDonald's workers said they faced a toxic environment of bullying and abuse. It's bad news for a business model that keeps fast food profitable.

• Over 100 McDonald's workers said they were harassed and abused at work, the BBC reported.
• It's a PR nightmare, but McDonald's doesn't actually directly employ them.
• The franchise model is common among fast-food companies, but it could be at risk.

Over 100 McDonald's workers in the UK told the BBC that they faced a toxic work environment that led to harassment, bullying, assault, and abuse.

Many of the workers said their managers were the perpetrators of the behavior, and some said they felt scared to report it, or that they did and nothing came of it.

In a statement to the BBC, McDonald's said it had "fallen short" and it "deeply apologized."