McDonald's Celebrates 50th Anniversary; 'Opportunity at McDonald's' is Theme

                       MEDIA ALERT and INVITATION:

                     SAVE THE DATE - FRIDAY, APRIL 15

         Spectacular Chicago Restaurant Opening on April 15, 2005

  What:   McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner will lead the celebration of 50 years
          of opportunity at McDonald's around the world with the grand
          opening of a spectacular new restaurant in downtown Chicago on
          Friday, April 15 at 10 a.m.

          The two-story restaurant features 60-foot-high Golden Arches, a
          double-lane drive-thru, seating for 300, historical displays and
          stunning views of Chicago's skyline.

          The theme of the anniversary -- "Opportunity at McDonald's" -
          celebrates the ladder of opportunity that starts with jobs in the
          restaurant and provides limitless career potential both at
          McDonald's and beyond.  Jim Skinner started his career at
          McDonald's as a restaurant crew member in Davenport, Iowa.

          April 15th marks the 50th anniversary of the day Ray Kroc opened
          his very first McDonald's restaurant, which was in Des Plaines,
          Illinois.

  Who:    Jim Skinner, McDonald's CEO
          Mike Roberts, President, McDonald's
          Ronald McDonald, Chief Happiness Officer
          Other surprise visitors

  When:   Friday, April 15th  10 a.m.

  Where:  600 N. Clark

  For more information and details about the press event please contact:
  Walt Riker or Lisa Howard at 630-623-3678.

PRNewswire -- April 5

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

SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation

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