McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner to Retire; Board Elects Don Thompson as Successor

OAK BROOK, IL, Mar 21 (MARKET WIRE) --
McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) today announced that Vice Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer Jim Skinner has informed the Board of Directors
of his decision to retire after 41 years with the Company, effective June
30, 2012. McDonald's Board of Directors elected current President and
Chief Operating Officer Don Thompson to succeed Skinner as CEO, effective
July 1, 2012.

"Jim's stellar leadership has driven unprecedented momentum at
McDonald's. This success has benefitted our valued shareholders, as
McDonald's compound annual total shareholder return was 21 percent during
Jim's tenure as CEO, and market capitalization surpassed $100 billion for
the first time in the company's history," said Andy McKenna, chairman of
McDonald's Board of Directors. "Jim has brought to the table exceptional
knowledge of McDonald's restaurant operations and a keen sense of
business know-how. We salute Jim for his years of service to McDonald's,
and will miss his passion, candor and wit. As we look to the future, the
Board has every confidence that Don's strategic leadership and global
business insight make him the ideal CEO. His track record of performance
as President and COO of McDonald's Corporation and President of
McDonald's USA speak to his qualifications to further drive the company's
momentum."

Skinner, 67, became McDonald's CEO in November 2004. He was one of the
architects of the Plan to Win, the company's strategic framework since
2003. The Plan's emphasis on "being better, not just bigger" has fueled a
revitalization for McDonald's, marked by modern, reimaged restaurants;
increased menu variety; and global initiatives championing balanced,
active lifestyles. With an unwavering focus on the Plan to Win, Skinner
has led the company during a consecutive run of nearly nine years of
increasing global comparable sales.

"Doing what's right for our customers and our business has driven my
passion as CEO of McDonald's," said Skinner. "I'm honored to have served
and earned the trust of the Board, our shareholders, franchisees,
suppliers and the men and women of this great company. Don Thompson is
well prepared for the CEO role, and under his leadership, our company
will continue to meet the needs of our 68 million customers around the
world every day. With Don at the helm, I am extremely confident in the
future of McDonald's."

"I'm honored by the Board's election," said Thompson. "Jim has been an
outstanding leader, mentor and friend. I'm humbled to take the baton as
CEO of McDonald's. Our management team is strong and will remain focused
on the Plan to Win and on our three global priorities -- optimizing the
menu, modernizing the customer experience and broadening our
accessibility to even more customers. Our franchisees, suppliers and
employees are committed to ensuring that McDonald's is our customers'
favorite way and place to eat and drink."

Thompson, 48, became President and COO of McDonald's in January 2010. In
this capacity, he has directed global strategy and operations for more
than 33,000 McDonald's restaurants in 119 countries. Previously, he
served as President of McDonald's USA from 2006 until 2010. In that role,
he was responsible for the strategic direction and positive business
results of the nearly 14,000 restaurants in the U.S.

As a 22-year veteran of McDonald's, Thompson began as an electrical
engineer in 1990. Since then, he has held a variety of leadership
positions in the U.S. business and global system. In addition to serving
on McDonald's Board of Directors, Thompson is a member of the Board of
Directors of Exelon Corporation and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He
also is a Trustee of his alma mater, Purdue University.

Skinner also has resigned from McDonald's Board of Directors, effective
June 30, 2012.

For complete biographical information and photos of Jim Skinner and Don
Thompson, visit
http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company/leadership.html

About McDonald's
McDonald's is the world's leading global foodservice
retailer with more than 33,000 locations serving approximately 68 million
customers in 119 countries each day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's
restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local men and
women. To learn more about the company, please visit
www.aboutmcdonalds.com.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1925379

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1925382

MEDIA:
Heidi Barker Sa Shekhem
630-623-3791
Lisa McComb
630-623-3707

INVESTORS:
Kathy Martin
630-623-7833

Copyright 2012, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

-0-