COLUMBUS, Ohio – McDonald’s Corp. is in the thick of a turnaround plan that includes $500 million in cost cuts; and an accounting center in Columbus may be the first casualty.

In an email statement to MEAT+POULTRY, McDonald's spokesperson Terri Hickey said “As part of our announced efforts to deliver $500 million in savings by the end of 2017, we are restructuring many aspects of our business, including an accounting function.” 

In a letter to city officials, McDonald’s announced plans to lay off 70 employees at the company’s Columbus Accounting Center. The letter stated that the layoffs were consistent with McDonald’s “…plans to permanently restructure its operations and eliminate a number of roles…”

Layoffs will begin July 15 and end Dec. 16.

The New York Post reported that McDonald’s plans to outsource some jobs to India as part of the company’s cost-cutting measures. 

On June 13, McDonald’s announced plans to move its headquarters to the West Loop neighborhood of downtown Chicago by spring of 2018. The company will set up shop in Oprah Winfrey’s old stomping grounds, Harpo Studios.