McDonald's Sales Momentum Continues; Reports Record February Sales, Up 23%

McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) announced today that February 2004 Systemwide sales for McDonald's restaurants increased 22.6%, or 14.8% in constant currencies, compared with February 2003. Comparable sales for McDonald's restaurants worldwide increased 13.9%. February 2004 performance benefited from an extra day due to leap year.

Jim Cantalupo, McDonald's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Led by the continuing momentum in the U.S. and Europe, Systemwide comparable sales increased for the tenth consecutive month. While we know that a combination of unique factors contributed to February's impressive results, we also know that our Plan to Win is positively impacting performance worldwide. Our actions to improve the customer experience with better tasting food, improved service, relevant marketing and enhanced menu variety are clearly working. Our progress to date has been significant, yet we still have more to do to create consistently relevant and satisfying customer experiences. We will remain focused and disciplined as we pursue our long-term objective of sustainable growth."

   February Comparable Sales
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Month-to-Date    Year-to-Date
   Percent Increase/(Decrease)              2004    2003    2004    2003
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   McDonald's Restaurants*                  13.9    (4.7)   11.9    (3.5)
   Major Segments:
    U.S.                                    20.1    (4.4)   16.7    (2.4)
    Europe                                   7.7    (3.9)    7.1    (3.9)
    APMEA**                                  6.2    (7.5)    6.3    (7.3)
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------

   February Systemwide Sales
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Month-to-Date            Year-to-Date
   Percent Increase/               As  In Constant         As  In Constant
    (Decrease)               Reported     Currency   Reported     Currency
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   McDonald's Restaurants*       22.6         14.8       20.8         12.9
   Major Segments:
    U.S.                         21.1         21.1       17.7         17.7
    Europe                       26.6          9.3       26.1          8.7
    APMEA**                      18.4          5.8       18.6          6.0
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    * Excludes non-McDonald's brands
   ** Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa


  Definitions
  - Comparable sales represent sales at Systemwide restaurants in operation
    at least thirteen months, excluding the impact of currency translation.
    Management reviews the increase or decrease in comparable sales compared
    with the same period in the prior year to assess business trends.
  - Systemwide sales include sales at all McDonald's restaurants, including
    those operated by the Company, franchisees and affiliates.  Management
    believes Systemwide sales information is useful in analyzing the
    Company's revenues because franchisees and affiliates pay rent, service
    fees and/or royalties that generally are based on a percent of sales
    with specified minimum rent payments.
  - Information in constant currency is calculated by translating current
    year results at prior year average exchange rates.

  Related Communications
  McDonald's tentatively plans to release March sales on April 13, 2004.

More than 30,000 local McDonald's restaurants serve about 47 million customers each day in more than 100 countries. Please visit our newly designed website at www.mcdonalds.com to learn more about the Company.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain forward-looking statements which reflect management's expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of March 5, 2004. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. A list of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or underlying, our forward-looking statements are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as its 10-K and 10-Q reports.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990916/MCDLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840

SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation

CONTACT: Investors, Mary Healy, +1-630-623-6429, or Media, Anna Rozenich,
+1-630-623-7316, both of McDonald's Corporation

Web site: http://www.mcdonalds.com/