Reuters
The fast food chain said the changes wouldn't impact franchisee-owned restaurants, which account for 90% of the more than 14,000 McDonald's locations in the US.
That means that just 10% of employees will see a pay bump.
McDonald's said it would be leaving pay and benefits decisions to franchisees.
"The more than 3,100 McDonald's franchisees operate their individual businesses and make their own decisions on pay and benefits for their employees," the company said in a statement.
In response, a labor group released the following statement from McDonald's worker Kwanza Brooks.
"This is too little to make a real difference, and covers only a fraction of workers," said Brooks, who works at a Charlotte, North Carolina McDonald's making $7.25 an hour. "It's a weak move for a company that made $5.6 billion in profits last year. We're going to keep fighting until we win $15 and union rights for all fast-food workers and our families."