2.06.2003 ET

(CSRwire) OAKBROOK, IL – McDonald’s has launched its “Founders Centennial Anniversary Celebration” to honor what would have been the 100th birthday of the company’s late founder, Ray Kroc’s, this past October. This comprehensive program involves celebrating Kroc’s legacy through special customer information brochures, special packaging and activities for McDonald’s employees.

“Ray Kroc had the belief it was important to give back to the communities in which we do business,” said Mike Roberts, president, McDonald’s USA. “Since the first McDonald’s opened, we have demonstrated our community leadership by implementing initiatives for food safety and the protection of natural resources, helping children through our support of Ronald McDonald House Charities® and creating safe, friendly restaurants with opportunities for employees.”

Nationally, McDonald’s will debut “McDonald’s & You,” a new family of brochures that exemplifies how this strong tradition of community involvement has continued. Initially, the brochures will feature the following topics, with the latter four available in both English and Spanish:

All About McDonald’s & You – An overview on the role of a McDonald’s restaurant in its community

Ronald McDonald House Charities® – An overview of the Charity’s accomplishments

Taste, Choice and Balanced Eating – A brochure that demonstrates how McDonald’s is making it easier than ever for customers to obtain nutrition information and plan their ideal meal

A Full Serving of Nutrition Facts – An update of McDonald’s nutritional information brochure

We Share One Community – Highlights the contributions McDonald’s has made and continues to make to improve the local communities – McDonald’s hometowns around the world

We Care About You – A brochure that provides four ways for customers to contact McDonald’s with compliments, concerns and questions

For a limited time, McDonald’s has also brought back the traditional “white bags” that were first used to serve customers’ to-go orders. Initially, consumers will receive items in a white bag celebrating McDonald’s history that has the original Speedee® Arches on one side and the contemporary Golden Arches® on the other. The second commemorative bag will direct consumers to a Web site where they can learn about the social responsibility efforts McDonald’s has taken to honor Ray Kroc’s fundamental belief that its restaurants should be good neighbors.

McDonald’s employees continue to honor Kroc through special activities held each October, on the anniversary of his birth. Traditionally, many restaurants conduct fundraisers and encourage employee volunteerism and philanthropy during that time. McDonald’s corporate staff also commemorates Kroc’s legacy by working shoulder-to-shoulder with McDonald’s managers and crew members in the restaurants, or by volunteering with various not-for-profit organizations.

About McDonald’s
McDonald’s is the leading global foodservice retailer, with more than 30,000 local restaurants serving nearly 46 million people each day in 121 countries. Approximately 80 percent of all McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent franchisees.

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