McDonald's Honored by Black Enterprise as One of the Best Companies for Diversity in America

McDonald's (NYSE: MCD), represented by Jim Skinner, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Don Thompson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, McDonald's USA; Rich Floersch, Executive Vice President and Human Resources Officer, McDonald's Corporation; Pat Harris, Chief Diversity Officer and other members of McDonald's senior management team, was honored today by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the Best Companies for Diversity in America.

Earl "Butch" Graves Jr., President and Chief Operating Officer of Black Enterprise magazine, announced the results of the magazine's inaugural Best Companies for Diversity Survey during a recognition luncheon today at the W New York Hotel in midtown Manhattan. "We began this journey to identify and then recognize those companies that have proven through their actions that they not only understand the benefits of diversity, but they embrace the principle and have ingrained diversity into their business strategy and corporate culture," said Graves. "I am pleased to announce that McDonald's Corporation exemplifies what a diverse workforce and culture should look like. In fact, McDonald's reflects their commitment to diversity from the boardroom to the crew room."

"At McDonald's, diversity is a vital part of our global business philosophy and how we do business every day," said Skinner. "The diversity of the McDonald's system -- our employees, suppliers and owner/operators -- is a competitive advantage that sets us apart in business as well as in the communities that we serve," added Skinner. "This recognition from Black Enterprise validates the importance that we place on diversity throughout our system."

Black Enterprise surveyed more than 1,000 major U.S.-based corporations in various industries in the public and private sector for their inaugural Best Companies for Diversity Survey. The Black Enterprise Best Companies for Diversity Survey is featured in the magazine's July 2005 issue. McDonald's was selected as one of the best in America based on the company's history of diversity leadership, corporate diversity initiatives, supplier diversity, multi-cultural marketing efforts, board of directors as well as senior diversity management.

More than 100 executives from many of the companies that participated in the survey attended the recognition luncheon today.

Earlier today during a Diversity Roundtable that preceded the Awards Luncheon, Pat Harris, Chief Diversity Officer for McDonald's and a select group of other business leaders, openly discussed ideas and shared best practices to help other companies further their efforts in corporate diversity.

McDonald's USA, LLC is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information on McDonald's visit http://www.mcdonalds.com/ .

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SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation

CONTACT: William Whitman of McDonald's USA, +1-630-623-6745, or
Andrew Wadium of Black Enterprise, +1-212-886-9598