This is the Tagline, edited under "Misc Content"

McDonald's Delivers Another Year of Strong Results in 2008

PRNewswire-FirstCall
OAK BROOK, Ill.
Jan 26, 2009

McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) today announced strong operating results for the fourth quarter and the year, driven by global comparable sales growth.

"2008 was a strong year for McDonald's," said Chief Executive Officer Jim Skinner. "Through our strategic focus on menu choice, food quality and value, the average number of customers served per day increased to more than 58 million in 2008. Comparable sales and guest counts were positive across all segments for every quarter, and the Company delivered double-digit growth in operating income for the fourth quarter and the year. These accomplishments validate the strength and resilience of McDonald's Plan to Win."

  Full year 2008 highlights included:

  -- Global comparable sales increase of 6.9%, including U.S. 4.0%, Europe
     8.5%, and Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa 9.0%
  -- Growth in McDonald's combined operating margin of 320 basis points to
     27.4%, after adjusting for the impact of the 2007 Latin America
     transaction
  -- Operating income increases in the U.S. 8%, Europe 23% (17% in constant
     currencies) and Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa 33% (28% in
     constant currencies)
  -- Earnings per share from continuing operations of $3.76, an increase of
     16% (14% in constant currencies), after adjusting for the impact of the
     2007 Latin America transaction
  -- Return of $5.8 billion to shareholders through shares repurchased and
     dividends paid, including a 33% increase in the quarterly cash dividend
     to $0.50 per share for the fourth quarter - bringing our current annual
     dividend rate to $2.00 per share


  Fourth quarter highlights included:

  -- Global comparable sales increase of 7.2%, fueled by the U.S. 5.0%,
     Europe 7.6% and Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa 10.0%
  -- Consolidated operating income increase of 11% (20% in constant
     currencies)
  -- Earnings per share of $0.87 compared with earnings per share of $1.06
     in fourth quarter 2007, which included a 2007 net benefit of $0.33 per
     share related to certain tax items


McDonald's U.S. delivered very strong results for the quarter and year by seizing opportunities in the key growth areas of chicken, breakfast, beverages and convenience. Throughout 2008, the U.S. built brand loyalty by reinforcing the Company's dedication to value, convenience and menu variety with the addition of the Southern Style Chicken biscuit and sandwich, drive-thru enhancements to improve service and ongoing expansion of McCafe specialty coffees.

In Europe, ongoing efforts to strengthen brand relevance generated impressive fourth quarter and full year results. Full year comparable sales were positive in every European market as more customers enjoyed McDonald's combination of seasonal and premium menu selections, compelling value options and inviting restaurants.

Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa posted robust comparable sales and operating income growth for the quarter and year. Strong results across the segment were driven by operations excellence and a sharp focus on breakfast, convenience and everyday affordability.

Jim Skinner added, "Our disciplined approach to financial management continues to be an important component of McDonald's success. We remain committed to enhancing shareholder value by investing capital prudently, optimizing our restaurant ownership mix and returning cash to shareholders. To date, we have returned $11.5 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases toward our target of $15 billion to $17 billion for 2007 through 2009. For 2009, we plan to invest $2.1 billion of capital to open about 1,000 new McDonald's restaurants and reinvest in our existing locations."

Jim Skinner concluded, "I am pleased with McDonald's 2008 results, which were achieved through the dedication of our Owner/Operators, suppliers and employees who provide an exceptional restaurant experience for our customers each and every day. McDonald's begins 2009 with six years of momentum, a business model that has delivered even in challenging economic conditions and January sales that remain strong. I am confident that our alignment behind the Plan to Win and our focus on what matters most to customers will continue to generate positive results for our System and shareholders."

KEY HIGHLIGHTS - CONSOLIDATED

Dollars in millions, except per share data ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                       %Inc/
                                                                       (Dec)
                                                                        Excl
                                                         %Inc/      Currency

Quarters ended December 31, 2008 2007 (Dec) Trans ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Revenues                   $5,565.0     $5,753.6         (3)            5
  Operating income            1,502.2      1,354.6         11            20
  Net income                    985.3      1,273.2        (23)          (17)

Earnings per share-diluted* 0.87 1.06 (18) (11) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  * The following 2007 items, which total $0.33 per share, impact the
    constant currency comparison of diluted earnings per share for the
    quarter ended December 31, 2008 compared with 2007.  In total, these
    items negatively impact the constant currency comparison by 40
    percentage points:

    2007
    -  $0.26 per share of income tax benefit resulting from the completion
       of an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) examination of the Company's
       2003-2004 U.S. federal income tax returns;
    -  $0.09 per share of income tax benefit due to tax developments in the
       quarter related to foreign operations; partly offset by
    -  $0.02 per share of income tax expense related to the impact of a tax
       law change in Canada.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                        %Inc
                                                                        Excl
                                                                    Currency

Years ended December 31, 2008 2007 %Inc Trans ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Revenues                  $23,522.4    $22,786.6           3             1
  Operating income            6,442.9      3,879.0          66            62
  Income from continuing
   operations                 4,313.2      2,335.0          85            80
  Income from discontinued
   operations                                 60.1         n/m           n/m
  Net income                  4,313.2      2,395.1          80            76
  Earnings per share from
   continuing operations-
   diluted                       3.76         1.93          95            90
  Earnings per share from
   discontinued operations-
   diluted                                    0.05         n/m           n/m

Earnings per share-diluted 3.76 1.98 90 85 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

n/m Not meaningful

In August 2007, the Company sold its investment in Boston Market. As a result, Boston Market's results of operations and transaction gain are reflected as discontinued operations for the full year 2007.

In August 2007, the Company completed the sale of its businesses in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and 13 other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to a developmental licensee organization. The Company refers to these markets as "Latam." Under the new ownership structure, the Company now receives royalties in these markets instead of a combination of Company-operated sales and franchised rents and royalties.

In addition to the reported results shown above, consolidated results for the year ended December 31, 2007 are presented below excluding the impact of the Latam transaction. Management believes the Latam transaction and the associated charges are not indicative of ongoing operations due to the size and scope of the transaction. Management believes that the adjusted results better reflect the underlying business trends relevant to the periods presented.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the key consolidated highlights for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 to the highlights excluding the net impact of the impairment charge from the Latam transaction.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                    Adjusted
                                                2007                    %Inc
                                                Excl       Currency     Excl
  Years ended                         Latam     Latam  Adj    Trans Currency

December 31, 2008 2007* Trans* Trans %Inc Benefit Trans ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Revenues   $23,522.4 $22,786.6            $22,786.6    3   $440.6        1
  Operating
   income      6,442.9   3,879.0 $(1,640.6)   5,519.6   17    163.4       14
  Income from
   continuing
   operations  4,313.2   2,335.0  (1,578.6)   3,913.6   10    103.1        8
  Income from
   discontinued
   operations               60.1                 60.1  n/m               n/m
  Net income   4,313.2   2,395.1  (1,578.6)   3,973.7    9    103.1        6
  Earnings per
   share from
   continuing
   operations-
   diluted**      3.76      1.93     (1.30)      3.23   16     0.09       14
  Earnings per
   share from
   discontinued
   operations-
   diluted                  0.05                 0.05  n/m               n/m
  Earnings
   per share-

diluted** 3.76 1.98 (1.30) 3.28 15 0.09 12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  n/m Not meaningful



  *    Included impairment and other charges of $1,665.3 million, partly
       offset by a benefit of $24.7 million due to eliminating depreciation
       on the assets in Latam in mid-April 2007, and a tax benefit of $62.0
       million.
  **   The following items impact the comparison of adjusted constant
       currency growth in diluted earnings per share from continuing
       operations and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December
       31, 2008 compared with 2007.  On a net basis, these items negatively
       impacted the comparison by 6 percentage points:

       2008
       -  $0.09 per share after tax gain on the sale of the Company's
          minority interest in Pret A Manger.

       2007
       -  $0.26 per share of income tax benefit resulting from the
          completion of an IRS examination of the Company's 2003-2004 U.S.
          federal income tax returns; partly offset by
       -  $0.02 per share of income tax expense related to the impact of a
          tax law change in Canada.


THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS APPLY TO THESE TERMS AS USED THROUGHOUT THIS RELEASE

Comparable sales represent sales at all restaurants and comparable guest counts represent transactions at all restaurants, including those operated by the Company, franchisees, developmental licensees and affiliates, in operation at least thirteen months including those temporarily closed. Comparable sales exclude the impact of currency translation. Some of the reasons restaurants may be temporarily closed include reimaging or remodeling, rebuilding, road construction and natural disasters. Management reviews the increase or decrease in comparable sales and comparable guest counts compared with the same period in the prior year to assess business trends. The number of weekdays, weekend days and timing of holidays, referred to as the calendar shift/trading day adjustment, can impact our comparable sales and comparable guest counts.

Information in constant currency is calculated by translating current year results at prior year average exchange rates. Management reviews and analyzes business results excluding the effect of foreign currency translation and bases certain incentive compensation plans on these results because they believe this better represents the Company's underlying business trends.

RELATED COMMUNICATIONS

McDonald's Corporation will broadcast its investor conference call live over the Internet at 10:30 a.m. Central Time on January 26, 2009. A link to the live webcast will be available at www.investor.mcdonalds.com. There will also be an archived webcast and podcast available for a limited time.

See Exhibit 99.2 in the Company's Form 8-K filing for supplemental information related to the Company's results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2008.

The Company plans to release January 2009 sales information on February 9, 2009.

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 the date hereof. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as its annual and quarterly reports and current reports on Form 8-K.

McDONALD'S CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inc/

Dollars and shares in millions, except per share data (Dec) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quarters ended December 31, 2008 2007 $ % ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Revenues
  Sales by Company-operated
   restaurants                      $3,855.0     $4,103.2    (248.2)     (6)
  Revenues from franchised and
   affiliated restaurants            1,710.0      1,650.4      59.6       4

  TOTAL REVENUES                     5,565.0      5,753.6    (188.6)     (3)

  Operating costs and expenses
  Company-operated restaurant
   expenses                          3,190.9      3,397.9    (207.0)     (6)
  Franchised restaurants-occupancy
   expenses                            298.3        295.1       3.2       1
  Selling, general & administrative
   expenses                            622.3        660.5     (38.2)     (6)
  Impairment and other charges, net      5.0          3.7       1.3      35
  Other operating (income) expense,
   net                                 (53.7)        41.8     (95.5)    n/m
  Total operating costs and
   expenses                          4,062.8      4,399.0    (336.2)     (8)

  OPERATING INCOME                   1,502.2      1,354.6     147.6      11

  Interest expense                     116.2        113.2       3.0       3
  Nonoperating (income) expense,
   net                                 (11.1)       (42.9)     31.8      74

  Income before provision for income
   taxes                             1,397.1      1,284.3     112.8       9
  Provision for income taxes           411.8         11.1     400.7     n/m

  NET INCOME                        $  985.3     $1,273.2    (287.9)    (23)

  EARNINGS PER SHARE-DILUTED        $   0.87     $   1.06     (0.19)    (18)

  Weighted average shares

outstanding-diluted 1,131.6 1,196.8 (65.2) (5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  n/m  Not meaningful



                          McDONALD'S CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inc/

Dollars and shares in millions, except per share data (Dec) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Years ended December 31, 2008 2007 $ % ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Revenues
  Sales by Company-operated
   restaurants                     $16,560.9    $16,611.0     (50.1)     --
  Revenues from franchised and
   affiliated restaurants            6,961.5      6,175.6     785.9      13

  TOTAL REVENUES                    23,522.4     22,786.6     735.8       3

  Operating costs and expenses
  Company-operated restaurant
   expenses                         13,652.9     13,741.7     (88.8)     (1)
  Franchised restaurants-occupancy
   expenses                          1,230.3      1,139.7      90.6       8
  Selling, general & administrative
   expenses                          2,355.5      2,367.0     (11.5)     --
  Impairment and other charges, net      6.0      1,670.3  (1,664.3)    n/m
  Other operating (income) expense,
   net                                (165.2)       (11.1)   (154.1)    n/m
  Total operating costs and
   expenses                         17,079.5     18,907.6  (1,828.1)    (10)

  OPERATING INCOME                   6,442.9      3,879.0   2,563.9      66

  Interest expense                     522.6        410.1     112.5      27
  Nonoperating (income) expense, net   (77.6)      (103.2)     25.6      25
  Gain on sale of investment          (160.1)                (160.1)    n/m

  Income from continuing operations
   before provision for income taxes 6,158.0      3,572.1   2,585.9      72
  Provision for income taxes         1,844.8      1,237.1     607.7      49

  Income from continuing operations  4,313.2      2,335.0   1,978.2      85
  Income from discontinued operations
   (net of taxes of $34.5)                           60.1     (60.1)    n/m

  NET INCOME                        $4,313.2     $2,395.1   1,918.1      80

  Earnings per share-diluted
  Continuing operations             $   3.76     $   1.93      1.83      95
  Discontinued operations                            0.05     (0.05)    n/m

  EARNINGS PER SHARE-DILUTED        $   3.76     $   1.98      1.78      90

  Weighted average shares

outstanding-diluted 1,146.0 1,211.8 (65.8) (5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

n/m Not meaningful

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: katie.hayes@us.mcd.com

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990916/MCDLOGO
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PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation

CONTACT: Investors, Mary Kay Shaw, +1-630-623-7559, or Media, Heidi
Barker, +1-630-623-3791, both of McDonald's Corporation

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