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McDonald's® Announces Alliance With American Express

Millions of Consumer, Corporate and Business Cardmembers to Enjoy Convenience at Participating McDonald's Restaurants Nationwide

PRNewswire-FirstCall
OAK BROOK, Ill.
Mar 25, 2004

McDonald's® has partnered with American Express to provide customers with cashless payment options at participating U.S. McDonald's restaurants. Currently, more than 3,000 McDonald's restaurants accept cashless payments and McDonald's expects the number of participating restaurants to more than double by year-end.

"McDonald's is proud to partner with American Express to offer our guests increased payment choices," said Jim Sappington, U.S. Vice President of I/S Management, McDonald's Corporation. "This partnership supports our ongoing commitment to provide a relevant, convenient experience to our customers."

Now accepting cash, credit, PIN-debit and signature-debit card payments, participating McDonald's restaurants will feature the brand logo of American Express, as well as other accepted payment methods, at the counters and drive- thru areas to notify customers of cashless payment options. Already, there are thousands of McDonald's restaurants in the United States that welcome the American Express Card and that number will continue to grow this year.

"The partnership between American Express and McDonald's will mean convenience for millions of our mutual customers and is another great way for them to earn Membership Rewards® points," said Bill Glenn, President, Establishment Services, American Express. "We believe that new payment options at McDonald's restaurants will be welcome news to our diversified consumer, corporate and business Cardmember base."

McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 31,000 restaurants serving nearly 47 million people in 119 countries each day. Approximately 80 percent of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women.

American Express is the world's leading issuer of commercial cards for business-related expenses. The company counts nearly 70 percent of the Fortune 500 and tens of thousands of mid-size companies as its customers and is the leading provider of cards for small businesses in the United States. American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel, network, and financial services provider founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking. For more information, visit www.americanexpress.com .

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SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation

CONTACT: William Whitman of McDonald's, +1-630-623-6745, or Christine
Elliott of American Express, +1-212-640-0622, christine.s.elliott@aexp.com

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