The large population of suppliers weakens the effect of individual suppliers on McDonald’s. This is especially so because of the lack of regional or global alliances among suppliers. In relation, most of McDonald’s suppliers are not vertically integrated. This means that they do not control the distribution network linked to McDonald’s facilities. Also, the relative abundance of materials like flour and meat reduces suppliers’ influence on McDonald’s. Thus, this element of the Five Forces analysis shows that supplier power is a minimal issue for McDonald’s.