McDonald's® Helps American Families Save for Their Children's College Education
New Gift Certificate Program Tied to Upromise Launched
PRNewswire
OAK BROOK, Ill.
Nov 26, 2001
This holiday season, McDonald's customers can turn gift giving into college savings thanks to McDonald's new "Save-For-College" campaign tied to Upromise -- a new service connecting some of America's leading companies with families saving for college. McDonald's is launching the campaign with a multi-pronged effort featuring a new gift certificate program and trayliner promotion.
The gift certificates have a new look, featuring Ronald McDonald®, and present families with the opportunity to begin saving for their children's college education. Each time a customer purchases a $5 book of gift certificates, McDonald's will contribute three percent from the purchase price into the buyer's Upromise savings account. To receive the savings, customers must register with Upromise though the organization's website ( http://www.upromise.com/ ) and enter the special code found on the inside back cover of the McDonald's gift certificate booklet. Enrolling is free and takes only a few minutes. Consumers can purchase the new gift certificates at any one of McDonald's nearly 13,000 U.S. restaurant locations, or on-line at McDonald's website ( http://www.mcdonalds.com/ ). In addition, McDonald's will highlight the Upromise message on large red fry boxes, medium cups, take-out bags and restaurant display materials.
"We're proud to partner with Upromise to help make higher education more affordable and accessible to American families everywhere," said Mike Roberts, president, McDonald's USA. "With more than 20 million customers visiting our restaurants everyday in the U.S., we're hoping to raise public awareness about this important opportunity to help families prepare financially for their children's college education."
To help families get started, McDonald's will contribute $5 when a customer opens a Upromise account and enters the special code found on McDonald's Upromise trayliners at participating McDonald's restaurants. This limited-time offer runs through January 31, 2002.
"We're honored to have McDonald's as a cornerstone partner," said Michael Bronner, chairman and founder of Upromise. "Contributions like these from McDonald's can inspire families to open a college savings account and take charge of this important issue. McDonald's enormous 'Save for College' campaign will help us to reach tens of millions of Americans."
McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) is the leading global foodservice retailer, with more than 29,000 restaurants serving nearly 45 million customers each day in 121 countries. Approximately 80 percent of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women.
About Upromise, Inc.
Upromise, Inc. helps families save more for college. Through Upromise, America's leading companies contribute a portion of each family's spending with them into a Upromise account. Upromise's contributing companies include America Online, AT&T, Citibank®, CVS/pharmacy, ExxonMobil, General Motors, McDonald's®, Toys "R" Us, Borders Books and Music, Century 21®, Coldwell Banker®, Countrywide Home Loans, ERA®, Staples, Starwood Hotels, Waldenbooks, more than 70 online shopping sites, and more than 7,000 restaurants through the iDine program. The Upromise Grocery service, available now in New England and nationally in 2002, helps families save when they purchase thousands of items at participating grocers. The free Upromise service also makes it easy for families to invest their savings in tax-advantaged 529 college savings accounts managed by Salomon Smith Barney or Fidelity Investments. Brokerage services are provided through Upromise Investments, Inc., member NASD/SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Upromise, Inc. Upromise is located in Brookline, Mass. For more information, visit http://www.upromise.com/ or call 617/582-1400.
SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation
Contact: Julie Monzo of McDonald's Corporation, +1-630-623-6049, or
McDonald's Media Website, http://www.media.mcdonalds.com/ , or Sarah Sarosi of Burson-
Marsteller for McDonald's Corporation, +1-312-596-3490, or Jim Doyle of
Upromise, +1-617-582-1518