McDonald's Announces Additional Support For Disaster Relief

McDonald's Corporation increased its commitment to $5 million for ongoing hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts. Additionally, the company will debut national and local advertising to aid and encourage in-restaurant contributions. Television commercials breaking tonight offer customers the added convenience of making disaster relief contributions at Ronald McDonald House Charities canisters at more than 13,000 U.S. restaurants.

Following an initial $2 million commitment announced immediately after hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, Ronald McDonald House Charities converted canisters in McDonald's U.S. restaurants to accept donations for disaster relief. McDonald's also announced that contributions to the McDonald's Family Charity would provide much-needed assistance to company, owner/operator and supplier employees. In addition, the company, its franchisees and suppliers are contributing millions in products and supplies for disaster relief.

"We're leveraging the significant resources of our brand to help people in need," said Ralph Alvarez, president of McDonald's North America. "Many of our restaurant managers, crew employees and field staff, as well as many of our owner/operators and suppliers have been affected by Katrina. We're doing our part to ensure that our employees and the Gulf Coast community see hope beyond this tragedy.

McDonald's continues to provide assistance to communities devastated by the hurricane. Food and water have been distributed to victims, evacuees and relief workers throughout the Gulf Coast as well as in other parts of the country. McDonald's also established a 24-hour crisis center to assist displaced employees with food, water, shelter, payroll, benefits and transportation needs.

"As many as 200 of our restaurants in the Gulf Coast were closed during the height of the hurricane," said Don Thompson, executive vice president and chief operations officer for McDonald's USA. "Today, less than 100 remain closed - some restaurants will require significant work to reopen or may have to be rebuilt. However, many of our restaurants have already reopened and are serving customers," added Thompson. "We are committed to providing jobs and reinvesting in these communities. We will reopen all of our Gulf Coast restaurants damaged by Katrina."

  McDonald's Support:

   * Housing, transportation and employment provided for thousands of our
     restaurant managers, crew and staff employees.

   * Salaries continue for McDonald's USA staff and restaurant employees
     displaced by Katrina.

   * McDonald's Service Center 877-623-1955 providing 24-hour service to
     affected employees.

   * Nearly $300,000 in emergency loans granted to displaced employees.

   * Select McDonald's restaurants serving as Salvation Army collection
     centers.

   * McDonald's employees, owner/operators and suppliers donating cash,
     food, water and shelter and more to victims, evacuees and relief
     workers.

   * We're working with Operation PUSH in Chicago to deliver non-perishable
     food items, water, clothes and McDonald's products to affected areas.

   * McDonald's and Wayport offer free Wi-Fi at more than 250 McDonald's
     restaurants in the Gulf Coast to aid in electronic communication.

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 about McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com.

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SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation

CONTACT: William Whitman of McDonald's Corporation, +1-630-623-6745

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