Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from               to             
Commission File Number 1-5231
McDONALD’S CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Delaware
 
36-2361282
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
One McDonald’s Plaza
Oak Brook, Illinois
 
60523
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(630) 623-3000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes   x   No   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes   x   No   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer ¨
 
 
Non-accelerated filer  ¨   (do not check if a smaller reporting  company)
 
Smaller reporting company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes   ¨   No   x

988,417,241
(Number of shares of common stock
outstanding as of March 31, 2014 )
 
 
 
 
 

 


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McDONALD’S CORPORATION
___________________________
INDEX
_______
 
 
 
Page Reference
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A – Risk Factors
 
 
 
 
Item 6 – Exhibits
 
 
All trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners and are used with permission.

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
In millions, except per share data
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and equivalents
 
$
2,743.8

 
 
$
2,798.7

Accounts and notes receivable
 
1,229.7

 
 
1,319.8

Inventories, at cost, not in excess of market
 
106.2

 
 
123.7

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
756.6

 
 
807.9

Total current assets
 
4,836.3

 
 
5,050.1

Other assets
 
 
 
 
 
Investments in and advances to affiliates
 
1,223.8

 
 
1,209.1

Goodwill
 
2,891.5

 
 
2,872.7

Miscellaneous
 
1,767.5

 
 
1,747.1

Total other assets
 
5,882.8

 
 
5,828.9

Property and equipment
 
 
 
 
 
Property and equipment, at cost
 
40,503.3

 
 
40,355.6

Accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
(14,853.3
)
 
 
(14,608.3
)
Net property and equipment
 
25,650.0

 
 
25,747.3

Total assets
 
$
36,369.1

 
 
$
36,626.3

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
828.1

 
 
$
1,086.0

Income taxes
 
427.8

 
 
215.5

Other taxes
 
393.4

 
 
383.1

Accrued interest
 
161.4

 
 
221.6

Accrued payroll and other liabilities
 
1,189.1

 
 
1,263.8

Current maturities of long-term debt
 
101.4

 
 

Total current liabilities
 
3,101.2

 
 
3,170.0

Long-term debt
 
13,825.4

 
 
14,129.8

Other long-term liabilities
 
1,706.6

 
 
1,669.1

Deferred income taxes
 
1,588.2

 
 
1,647.7

Shareholders’ equity
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, no par value; authorized – 165.0 million shares; issued – none
 

 
 

Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized – 3.5 billion shares; issued – 1,660.6 million shares
 
16.6

 
 
16.6

Additional paid-in capital
 
6,062.9

 
 
5,994.1

Retained earnings
 
42,154.7

 
 
41,751.2

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
444.3

 
 
427.6

Common stock in treasury, at cost; 672.2 and 670.2 million shares
 
(32,530.8
)
 
 
(32,179.8
)
Total shareholders’ equity
 
16,147.7

 
 
16,009.7

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
36,369.1

 
 
$
36,626.3

See Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF NET INCOME (UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarters Ended
 
 
March 31,
In millions, except per share data
 
2014
 
 
2013
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
Sales by Company-operated restaurants
 
$
4,490.5

 
 
$
4,445.4

Revenues from franchised restaurants
 
2,209.8

 
 
2,159.9

Total revenues
 
6,700.3

 
 
6,605.3

Operating costs and expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Company-operated restaurant expenses
 
3,767.1

 
 
3,726.0

Franchised restaurants—occupancy expenses
 
417.1

 
 
395.2

Selling, general & administrative expenses
 
620.4

 
 
596.5

Other operating (income) expense, net
 
(40.3
)
 
 
(61.9
)
Total operating costs and expenses
 
4,764.3

 
 
4,655.8

Operating income
 
1,936.0

 
 
1,949.5

Interest expense
 
135.5

 
 
128.1

Nonoperating (income) expense, net
 
17.2

 
 
4.6

Income before provision for income taxes
 
1,783.3

 
 
1,816.8

Provision for income taxes
 
578.5

 
 
546.6

Net income
 
$
1,204.8

 
 
$
1,270.2

Earnings per common share-basic
 
$
1.22

 
 
$
1.27

Earnings per common share-diluted
 
$
1.21

 
 
$
1.26

Dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.81

 
 
$
0.77

Weighted average shares outstanding-basic
 
989.6

 
 
1,002.7

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
 
995.9

 
 
1,010.8

See Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarters Ended
 
 
March 31,
In millions
 
2014
 
 
2013
Net income
 
$
1,204.8

 
 
$
1,270.2

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive
income (AOCI), including net investment hedges
(22.3
)
 
 
(386.4
)
Reclassification of (gain) loss to net income
13.1

 
 

Foreign currency translation adjustments-net of tax
benefit (expense) of $17.4 and $(59.6)
(9.2
)
 
 
(386.4
)
Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI
30.2

 
 
(8.2
)
Reclassification of (gain) loss to net income
(13.4
)
 
 
(9.3
)
Cash flow hedges-net of tax benefit (expense) of $(7.2)
and $2.7
16.8

 
 
(17.5
)
Defined benefit pension plans:
 
 
 
 
 
Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI
6.5

 
 
1.2

Reclassification of (gain) loss to net income
2.6

 
 
0.1

Defined benefit pension plans-net of tax benefit (expense)
of $(4.4) and $(0.3)
9.1

 
 
1.3

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
16.7

 
 
(402.6
)
Comprehensive income
 
$
1,221.5

 
 
$
867.6

See Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarters Ended
 
 
March 31,
In millions
 
2014
 
 
2013
Operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
1,204.8

 
 
$
1,270.2

Adjustments to reconcile to cash provided by operations
 
 
 
 
 
Charges and credits:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
410.4

 
 
391.1

Deferred income taxes
 
(24.0
)
 
 
22.8

Share-based compensation
 
25.3

 
 
22.8

Other
 
54.7

 
 
67.0

Changes in working capital items
 
236.1

 
 
(87.0
)
Cash provided by operations
 
1,907.3

 
 
1,686.9

Investing activities
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(568.8
)
 
 
(634.2
)
Sales and purchases of restaurant businesses and property sales
 
78.7

 
 
45.5

Other
 
(118.1
)
 
 
64.2

Cash used for investing activities
 
(608.2
)
 
 
(524.5
)
Financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings and long-term financing issuances and repayments
 
(235.1
)
 
 
(622.4
)
Treasury stock purchases
 
(439.5
)
 
 
(339.4
)
Common stock dividends
 
(801.7
)
 
 
(772.2
)
Proceeds from stock option exercises
 
86.4

 
 
112.9

Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation
 
35.0

 
 
52.4

Other
 
(0.2
)
 
 
(0.2
)
Cash used for financing activities
 
(1,355.1
)
 
 
(1,568.9
)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
 
1.1

 
 
(60.3
)
Cash and equivalents decrease
 
(54.9
)
 
 
(466.8
)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period
 
2,798.7

 
 
2,336.1

Cash and equivalents at end of period
 
$
2,743.8

 
 
$
1,869.3

See Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s December 31, 2013 Annual Report on Form 10‑K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for the full year.

Restaurant Information
The following table presents restaurant information by ownership type:
Restaurants at March 31,
2014
 
2013
Conventional franchised
20,369

 
19,893

Developmental licensed
4,833

 
4,420

Foreign affiliated
3,572

 
3,657

Total Franchised
28,774

 
27,970

Company-operated
6,719

 
6,595

Systemwide restaurants
35,493

 
34,565

The results of operations of restaurant businesses purchased and sold in transactions with franchisees were not material either individually or in the aggregate to the condensed consolidated financial statements for the periods prior to purchase and sale.

Per Common Share Information
Diluted earnings per common share is calculated using net income divided by diluted weighted-average shares. Diluted weighted-average shares include weighted-average shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of share-based compensation, calculated using the treasury stock method, of 6.3 million shares and 8.1 million shares for the first quarter 2014 and 2013 , respectively. Stock options that would have been antidilutive and therefore were not included in the calculation of diluted weighted-average shares totaled 9.2 million shares and 8.1 million shares for the first quarter 2014 and 2013 , respectively.

Fair Value Measurements
The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value disclosures are reflected in a three-level hierarchy, maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs. The Company did not have any significant changes to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value as described in the Company's December 31, 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Certain Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
The following table presents financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
In millions
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Carrying
Value
March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets
 
$
130.5

 
 
$
46.8

 
 
$
177.3

Derivative liabilities
 
 
 
 
$
(130.4
)
 
 
$
(130.4
)

Certain Financial Assets and Liabilities not Measured at Fair Value
At March 31, 2014 , the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations was estimated at $15.1 billion , compared to a carrying amount of $13.9 billion . The fair value was based upon quoted market prices, Level 2, within the valuation hierarchy. The carrying amounts of cash and equivalents and notes receivable approximate fair value.

7


Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company is exposed to global market risks, including the effect of changes in interest rates and foreign currency fluctuations. The Company uses foreign currency denominated debt and derivative instruments to mitigate the impact of these changes. The Company does not hold or issue derivatives for trading purposes.
The following table presents the fair values of derivative instruments included on the Consolidated balance sheet:
  
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
In millions
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
$
37.4

 
 
$
55.6

 
 
$
(123.5
)
 
 
$
(155.5
)
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
139.9

 
 
144.2

 
 
(6.9
)
 
 
(23.8
)
Total derivatives
 
$
177.3

 
 
$
199.8

 
 
$
(130.4
)
 
 
$
(179.3
)

The following table presents the pretax amounts affecting income and other comprehensive income ("OCI") for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 , respectively:
 
Gain (Loss)
Recognized in
Accumulated OCI
 
Gain (Loss) Reclassified
into Income from
Accumulated OCI
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivative (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
In millions
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Cash Flow Hedges
 
$
43.2

 
 
$
(6.7
)
 
 
$
19.2

 
 
$
13.5

 

$
(0.6
)
 

$
(3.3
)
Net Investment Hedges
 
$
(46.8
)
 
 
$
423.8

 
 
$

 
 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
Undesignated derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1.3


 
$
19.8

(1)
Includes amounts excluded from effectiveness testing, ineffectiveness, and undesignated gains (losses).

Fair Value Hedges
The Company enters into fair value hedges which convert a portion of its fixed-rate debt into floating-rate debt by use of interest rate swaps. At March 31, 2014 , $2.6 billion of the Company's outstanding fixed-rate debt was effectively converted. For the quarter ended March 31, 2014 , the Company recognized a $2.6 million loss on fair value interest rate swaps, which was exactly offset by a corresponding gain in the fair value of the hedged debt instruments.
 
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company enters into cash flow hedges to reduce the exposure to variability in certain expected future cash flows.
To protect against the reduction in value of forecasted foreign currency cash flows (such as royalties denominated in foreign currencies), the Company uses foreign currency forwards and foreign currency options to hedge a portion of anticipated exposures. The hedges cover the next 19 months for certain exposures and are denominated in various currencies. As of March 31, 2014 , the Company had derivatives outstanding with an equivalent notional amount of $589.3 million that hedged a portion of forecasted foreign currency denominated royalties.

The Company uses cross-currency swaps to hedge the risk of cash flows associated with certain foreign currency denominated debt, including forecasted interest payments, and has elected cash flow hedge accounting. The hedges cover periods up to 44 months and have an equivalent notional amount of $341.8 million .

Based on market conditions at March 31, 2014 , the $14.5 million in cumulative cash flow hedging gains , after tax, is not expected to have a significant effect on earnings over the next 12 months.

8


Net Investment Hedges
The Company primarily uses foreign currency denominated debt (third party and intercompany) to hedge its investments in certain foreign subsidiaries and affiliates. Realized and unrealized translation adjustments from these hedges are included in shareholders' equity in the foreign currency translation component of OCI and offset translation adjustments on the underlying net assets of foreign subsidiaries and affiliates, which also are recorded in OCI. As of March 31, 2014 , $4.3 billion of intercompany foreign currency denominated debt, $4.5 billion of the Company's third party foreign currency denominated debt and $1.0 billion of derivatives were designated to hedge investments in certain foreign subsidiaries and affiliates.

Credit Risk
The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by its derivative counterparties. The Company did not have significant exposure to any individual counterparty at March 31, 2014 and has master agreements that contain netting arrangements. For financial reporting purposes, the Company presents gross derivative balances in the financial statements and supplementary data, including for counterparties subject to netting arrangements.

Segment Information
The Company franchises and operates McDonald’s restaurants in the global restaurant industry. The following table presents the Company’s revenues and operating income by geographic segment. The APMEA segment represents operations in Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Other Countries & Corporate represents operations in Canada and Latin America, as well as Corporate activities.
 
Quarters Ended
   
March 31,
In millions
2014
 
2013
Revenues
 
 
 
U.S.
$
2,054.1

 
$
2,088.5

Europe
2,712.2

 
2,586.4

APMEA
1,618.8

 
1,593.7

Other Countries & Corporate
315.2

 
336.7

Total revenues
$
6,700.3

 
$
6,605.3

Operating Income
 
 
 
U.S.
$
820.8

 
$
844.7

Europe
752.5

 
708.1

APMEA
345.1

 
381.9

Other Countries & Corporate
17.6

 
14.8

Total operating income
$
1,936.0

 
$
1,949.5


Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There were no subsequent events that required recognition or disclosure.

9


Item  2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
The Company franchises and operates McDonald’s restaurants. Of the 35,493 restaurants in 120 countries at March 31, 2014 , 28,774 were licensed to franchisees (including 20,369 franchised to conventional franchisees, 4,833 licensed to developmental licensees and 3,572 licensed to foreign affiliates ("affiliates") – primarily Japan) and 6,719 were operated by the Company. Under our conventional franchise arrangement, franchisees provide a portion of the capital required by initially investing in the equipment, signs, seating and décor of their restaurant business, and by reinvesting in the business over time. The Company owns the land and building or secures long-term leases for both Company-operated and conventional franchised restaurant sites. This maintains long-term occupancy rights, helps control related costs and assists in alignment with franchisees. In certain circumstances, the Company participates in reinvestment for conventional franchised restaurants. Under our developmental license arrangement, licensees provide capital for the entire business, including the real estate interest, and the Company has no capital invested. In addition, the Company has an equity investment in a limited number of affiliates that invest in real estate and operate or franchise restaurants within a market.
We view ourselves primarily as a franchisor and believe franchising is important to both delivering great, locally-relevant customer experiences and driving profitability. However, directly operating restaurants is paramount to being a credible franchisor and is essential to providing Company personnel with restaurant operations experience. In our Company-operated restaurants, and in collaboration with franchisees, we further develop and refine operating standards, marketing concepts and product and pricing strategies, so that only those that we believe are most beneficial are introduced in the restaurants. We continually review, and as appropriate adjust, our mix of Company-operated and franchised (conventional franchised, developmental licensed and foreign affiliated) restaurants to help optimize overall performance.
The Company’s revenues consist of sales by Company-operated restaurants and fees from restaurants operated by franchisees. Revenues from conventional franchised restaurants include rent and royalties based on a percent of sales along with minimum rent payments, and initial fees. Revenues from restaurants licensed to affiliates and developmental licensees include a royalty based on a percent of sales, and generally include initial fees. Fees vary by type of site, amount of Company investment, if any, and local business conditions. These fees, along with occupancy and operating rights, are stipulated in franchise/license agreements that generally have 20‑year terms.
The business is managed as distinct geographic segments. Significant reportable segments include the United States ("U.S."), Europe, and Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa ("APMEA"). In addition, throughout this report we present “Other Countries & Corporate” that includes operations in Canada and Latin America, as well as Corporate activities. For the quarter ended March 31, 2014 , the U.S., Europe and APMEA segments accounted for 31% , 40% and 24% of total revenues, respectively.
Strategic Direction and Financial Performance
The strength of the alignment among the Company, its franchisees and suppliers (collectively referred to as the "System") has been key to McDonald's success. By leveraging our System, we are able to identify, implement and scale ideas that meet customers' changing needs and preferences. In addition, our business model enables McDonald's to consistently deliver locally-relevant restaurant experiences to customers and be an integral part of the communities we serve.
McDonald's customer-focused Plan to Win ("Plan") provides a common framework that aligns our global business and allows for local adaptation. We continue to focus on our three global growth priorities of optimizing our menu, modernizing the customer experience, and broadening accessibility to Brand McDonald's within the framework of our Plan. Our initiatives support these priorities, and are executed with a focus on the Plan's five pillars - People, Products, Place, Price and Promotion - to enhance our customers' experience and build shareholder value over the long term. We believe these priorities align with our customers' evolving needs, and - combined with our competitive advantages of convenience, menu variety, geographic diversification and System alignment - will drive long-term sustainable growth.
For the first quarter, global comparable sales increased 0.5% , reflecting higher average check and negative comparable guest counts of 3.1% . Comparable sales are driven by changes in guest counts and average check, which is affected by changes in pricing and product mix. Generally, pricing has a greater impact on average check than product mix. The goal is to achieve a balanced contribution from both guest counts and average check.
Looking ahead, the Company expects many of the challenges faced in 2013 to persist in 2014, namely heightened competitive activity, continued consumer price sensitivity and ongoing cost pressures amid flat to modest growth projections for the IEO segment. We remain focused on matters within our control, with the customer as our first priority. Our opportunities include better restaurant execution and optimizing current initiatives for greater customer relevance and broader consumer reach. We are prioritizing our near-term efforts on improving performance in key opportunity markets that are significant contributors to consolidated results, including the U.S., Germany,

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Australia and Japan. In addition, the Company is evaluating opportunities to optimize its capital and restaurant ownership structures, as well as G&A expenditures, while maintaining its existing long-term financial strength and philosophy.
The following is a summary of our first quarter sales performance and our initiatives within the three global growth priorities by major segment.

In the U.S., first quarter 2014 comparable sales decreased 1.7% , reflecting negative comparable guest counts amid challenging industry dynamics and severe winter weather. Our priority remains building guest traffic through greater customer relevance and improved restaurant execution. In addition, we are evolving our menu strategies to enhance the breakfast experience and to better balance affordability, core products, new choices and limited-time offers. We will continue to invest in new and existing restaurants, although the pace of our reimaging program will slow slightly compared to last year as we prioritize other kitchen investments.
In Europe, first quarter 2014 comparable sales increased 1.4% , reflecting positive performance in the U.K, France and Russia, partly offset by ongoing weakness in Germany. Looking ahead, Europe remains focused on growing the business through value menu enhancements, premium menu additions and limited-time offers, and we will continue to expand the breakfast daypart by leveraging our strong foundation in coffee. In addition, we remain committed to modernizing the customer experience through our ongoing restaurant reimaging and technology initiatives, and broadening accessibility by extending operating hours, optimizing drive-thrus and opening new restaurants.
In APMEA, first quarter 2014 comparable sales increased 0.8% , benefiting from positive results in China and many other markets, somewhat offset by weakness in Japan, and to a lesser extent, Australia. To strengthen performance, APMEA is pursuing customer-focused initiatives to deliver menu variety, increased convenience and branded affordability across the segment. In addition, we are focused on restaurant expansion and modernizing the customer experience through ongoing restaurant reimaging.
First Quarter Operating Results:
Global comparable sales increased 0.5% .
Consolidated revenues increased 1% ( 3% in constant currencies).
Consolidated operating income decreased 1% (increased 1% in constant currencies).
Diluted earnings per share of $1.21 , decreased 4% ( 2% in constant currencies). Foreign currency translation negatively impacted diluted earnings per share by $0.03 .
The Company paid total dividends of $0.81 per share or $801.7 million and repurchased 4.5 million shares for $432.4 million .
Outlook
While the Company does not provide specific guidance on earnings per share, the following information is provided to assist in forecasting the Company's future results.
Changes in Systemwide sales are driven by comparable sales and net restaurant unit expansion. The Company expects net restaurant additions to add approximately 2.5 percentage points to 2014 Systemwide sales growth (in constant currencies), most of which will be due to the 949 net restaurants (1,098 net traditional openings less 149 net satellite closings) added in 2013.
The Company does not generally provide specific guidance on changes in comparable sales. However, as a perspective, assuming no change in cost structure, a 1 percentage point change in comparable sales for either the U.S. or Europe would change annual diluted earnings per share by about 4 cents.
With about 75% of McDonald's grocery bill comprised of 10 different commodities, a basket of goods approach is the most comprehensive way to look at the Company's commodity costs. For the full year 2014, the total basket of goods cost is expected to increase 1%-2% in the U.S. and Europe.
The Company expects full-year 2014 selling, general and administrative expenses to increase approximately 8% in constant currencies, with fluctuations expected between the quarters. The increase is primarily due to the impact of below target 2013 incentive-based compensation, expenses associated with our 2014 Worldwide Owner/Operator Convention and sponsorship of the Winter Olympics, and costs related to other initiatives.
Based on current interest and foreign currency exchange rates, the Company expects interest expense for the full year 2014 to increase approximately 5-7% compared with 2013.
A significant part of the Company's operating income is generated outside the U.S., and about 40% of its total debt is denominated in foreign currencies. Accordingly, earnings are affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the Euro, British Pound, Australian Dollar and Canadian Dollar. Collectively, these currencies represent approximately 65% of the Company's operating income outside the U.S. If all four of these currencies moved by 10% in the same direction, the Company's annual diluted earnings per share would change by about 25 cents.

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The Company expects the effective income tax rate for the full-year 2014 to be 31% to 33%. Some volatility may be experienced between the quarters resulting in a quarterly tax rate that is outside the annual range.
The Company expects capital expenditures for 2014 to be between $2.9-$3.0 billion. Over half of this amount will be used to open new restaurants. The Company expects to open about 1,500-1,600 restaurants including about 500 restaurants in affiliated and developmental licensee markets, such as Japan and Latin America, where the Company does not fund any capital expenditures. The Company expects net additions of between 1,000-1,100 restaurants. The remaining capital will be used to reinvest in existing locations, in part through reimaging. Over 1,000 restaurants worldwide are expected to be reimaged, including locations in affiliated and developmental licensee markets that require no capital investment from the Company.
The Company expects to return approximately $5 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in 2014.
The Following Definitions Apply to these Terms as Used Throughout this Form 10-Q:
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 incentive compensation plans on these results because they believe this better represents the Company’s underlying business trends.
Systemwide sales include sales at all restaurants, whether operated by the Company or by franchisees. While franchised sales are not recorded as revenues by the Company, management believes the information is important in understanding the Company’s financial performance because these sales are the basis on which the Company calculates and records franchised revenues and are indicative of the financial health of the franchisee base.
Comparable sales represent sales at all restaurants and comparable guest counts represent the number of transactions at all restaurants, whether operated by the Company or by franchisees, in operation at least thirteen months including those temporarily closed. Some of the reasons restaurants may be temporarily closed include reimaging or remodeling, rebuilding, road construction and natural disasters. Comparable sales exclude the impact of currency translation. Comparable sales are driven by changes in guest counts and average check, which is affected by changes in pricing and product mix. Generally, pricing has a greater impact on average check than product mix. 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 and weekend days, referred to as the calendar shift/trading day adjustment , can impact comparable sales and guest counts. In addition, the timing of holidays can also impact comparable sales and guest counts.

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CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended
Dollars in millions, except per share data
March 31, 2014
 
Amount
 
 
Increase/
(Decrease)

Revenues
 
 
 
 
Sales by Company-operated restaurants
 
$
4,490.5

 
1
 %
Revenues from franchised restaurants
 
2,209.8

 
2

Total revenues
 
6,700.3

 
1

Operating costs and expenses
 
 
 
 
Company-operated restaurant expenses
 
3,767.1

 
1

Franchised restaurants—occupancy expenses
 
417.1

 
6

Selling, general & administrative expenses
 
620.4

 
4

Other operating (income) expense, net
 
(40.3
)
 
35

Total operating costs and expenses
 
4,764.3

 
2

Operating income
 
1,936.0

 
(1
)
Interest expense
 
135.5

 
6

Nonoperating (income) expense, net
 
17.2

 
n/m

Income before provision for income taxes
 
1,783.3

 
(2
)
Provision for income taxes
 
578.5

 
6

Net income
 
$
1,204.8

 
(5
)%
Earnings per common share-basic
 
$
1.22

 
(4
)%
Earnings per common share-diluted
 
$
1.21

 
(4
)%
n/m Not meaningful
Impact of Foreign Currency Translation
While changes in foreign currency exchange rates affect reported results, McDonald's mitigates exposures, where practical, by purchasing goods and services in local currencies, financing in local currencies and hedging certain foreign-denominated cash flows. Management reviews and analyzes business results excluding the effect of foreign currency translation and bases incentive compensation plans on these results, because they believe this better represents the Company's underlying business trends. Results excluding the effect of foreign currency translation (also referred to as constant currency) are calculated by translating current year results at prior year average exchange rates.
IMPACT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dollars in millions, except per share data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency
Translation
Benefit/
(Cost)
 
Quarters Ended March 31,
 
2014

 
 
2013

 
 
2014

Revenues
 
$
6,700.3

 
 
$
6,605.3

 
 
$
(79.5
)
Company-operated margins
 
723.4

 
 
719.4

 
 
(10.4
)
Franchised margins
 
1,792.7

 
 
1,764.7

 
 
(18.5
)
Selling, general & administrative expenses
 
620.4

 
 
596.5

 
 
2.8

Operating income
 
1,936.0

 
 
1,949.5

 
 
(28.8
)
Net income
 
1,204.8

 
 
1,270.2

 
 
(29.3
)
Earnings per share-diluted
 
$
1.21

 
 
$
1.26

 
 
$
(0.03
)
Foreign currency translation had a negative impact on consolidated operating results for the quarter primarily due to the weaker Australian Dollar and many other foreign currencies, including the Russian Ruble and Canadian Dollar, partly offset by the stronger Euro and British Pound.

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Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Common Share
For the quarter, net income decreased 5% (3% in constant currencies) to $1,204.8 million, and diluted earnings per share decreased 4% (2% in constant currencies) to $1.21. Foreign currency translation had a negative impact of $0.03 on diluted earnings per share.
For the quarter, net income and diluted earnings per share benefited from higher restaurant margin dollars, but were negatively impacted by an increase in the effective income tax rate due to a prior year tax benefit of nearly $50 million, and higher selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to costs related to the 2014 Winter Olympics. Diluted earnings per share also benefited from a decrease in diluted weighted average shares outstanding.
During the quarter, the Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.81 per share or $801.7 million and repurchased 4.5 million shares of its stock for $432.4 million.
Revenues
Revenues consist of sales by Company-operated restaurants and fees from restaurants operated by franchisees. Revenues from conventional franchised restaurants include rent and royalties based on a percent of sales along with minimum rent payments and initial fees. Revenues from franchised restaurants that are licensed to affiliates and developmental licensees include a royalty based on a percent of sales and generally include initial fees.
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dollars in millions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarters Ended March 31,
 
2014

 
2013

 
Inc/ (Dec)

 
Inc/ (Dec)
Excluding
Currency
Translation

Company-operated sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
 
$
1,040.9

 
$
1,071.7

 
(3
)%
 
(3
)%
Europe
 
1,925.8

 
1,862.4

 
3

 
4

APMEA
 
1,356.9

 
1,331.6

 
2

 
4

Other Countries & Corporate
 
166.9

 
179.7

 
(7
)
 
2

Total
 
$
4,490.5

 
$
4,445.4

 
1
 %
 
2
 %
Franchised revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
 
$
1,013.2

 
$
1,016.8

 
0
 %
 
0
 %
Europe
 
786.4

 
724.0

 
9

 
4

APMEA
 
261.9

 
262.1

 
0

 
10

Other Countries & Corporate
 
148.3

 
157.0

 
(6
)
 
8

Total
 
$
2,209.8

 
$
2,159.9

 
2
 %
 
3
 %
Total revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
 
$
2,054.1

 
$
2,088.5

 
(2
)%
 
(2
)%
Europe
 
2,712.2

 
2,586.4

 
5

 
4

APMEA
 
1,618.8

 
1,593.7

 
2

 
5

Other Countries & Corporate
 
315.2

 
336.7

 
(6
)
 
4

Total
 
$
6,700.3

 
$
6,605.3

 
1
 %
 
3
 %
Consolidated revenues increased 1% (3% in constant currencies) for the quarter primarily due to expansion.
In the U.S., revenues decreased for the quarter due to negative comparable sales, reflecting negative comparable guest counts amid challenging industry dynamics and severe winter weather.
In Europe, the constant currency increase in revenues for the quarter benefited from expansion, primarily in Russia (which is almost entirely Company-operated), and positive comparable sales performance in the U.K., France and Russia, partly offset by negative results in Germany.
In APMEA, the constant currency increase in revenues for the quarter was driven by China and other Asian markets due to positive comparable sales performance and expansion, partly offset by the impact of refranchising in Australia.

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The following table presents the percent change in comparable sales for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
COMPARABLE SALES
 
 
Increase/ (Decrease)
Quarters Ended March 31,*
2014

 
2013

U.S.
(1.7
)%
 
(1.2
)%
Europe
1.4

 
(1.1
)
APMEA
0.8

 
(3.3
)
Other Countries & Corporate
6.1

 
5.6

Total
0.5
 %
 
(1.0
)%
*
On a consolidated basis, comparable guest counts decreased 3.1% and 1.9% for the quarters 2014 and 2013 , respectively.
The following table presents the percent change in Systemwide sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 :
SYSTEMWIDE SALES
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
Inc/ (Dec)

 
Inc/ (Dec)
Excluding
Currency
Translation

U.S.
(1
)%
 
(1
)%
Europe
7

 
4

APMEA
(2
)
 
5

Other Countries & Corporate
(6
)
 
10

Total
1
 %
 
3
 %
Franchised sales are not recorded as revenues by the Company, but are the basis on which the Company calculates and records franchised revenues and are indicative of the health of the franchisee base. The following table presents Franchised sales and the related increases/(decreases):
FRANCHISED SALES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dollars in millions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarters Ended March 31,
 
2014

 
2013

 
Inc/ (Dec)

 
Inc/ (Dec)
Excluding
Currency
Translation

U.S.
 
$
7,338.1

 
$
7,376.6

 
(1
)%
 
(1
)%
Europe
 
4,402.2

 
4,064.6

 
8

 
4

APMEA
 
3,108.8

 
3,236.6

 
(4
)
 
6

Other Countries & Corporate
 
1,867.6

 
1,978.0

 
(6
)
 
11

Total*
 
$
16,716.7

 
$
16,655.8

 
0
 %
 
3
 %
*
Sales from developmental licensed restaurants and foreign affiliated markets where the Company earns a royalty based on a percent of sales totaled $3,548.5 million and $3,726.4 million for the quarters 2014 and 2013, respectively. Results were negatively impacted by the weaker Japanese Yen and Brazilian Real. The remaining balance of franchised sales is derived from conventional franchised restaurants where the Company earns rent and royalties based primarily on a percent of sales.

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Table of Contents

Restaurant Margins
FRANCHISED AND COMPANY-OPERATED RESTAURANT MARGINS
Dollars in millions
 
Percent    
 
Amount    
 
Inc/ (Dec)

 
Inc/ (Dec)
Excluding
Currency
Translation

Quarters Ended March 31,
2014

 
2013

 
2014

 
2013

 
 
Franchised
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
82.5
%
 
82.9
%
 
$
836.1

 
$
843.2

 
(1
)%
 
(1
)%
Europe
76.9

 
77.1

 
604.8

 
557.9

 
8

 
4

APMEA
86.3

 
87.7

 
226.1

 
229.9

 
(2
)
 
8

Other Countries & Corporate
84.8

 
85.2

 
125.7

 
133.7

 
(6
)
 
8

Total
81.1
%
 
81.7
%
 
$
1,792.7

 
$
1,764.7

 
2
 %
 
3
 %
Company-operated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
17.3
%
 
17.4
%
 
$
180.1

 
$
186.8

 
(4
)%
 
(4
)%
Europe
17.0

 
16.7

 
328.0

 
311.7

 
5

 
5

APMEA
14.0

 
14.6

 
190.5

 
194.1

 
(2
)
 
2

Other Countries & Corporate
14.9

 
14.9

 
24.8

 
26.8

 
(7
)
 
1

Total
16.1
%
 
16.2
%
 
$
723.4

 
$
719.4

 
1
 %
 
2
 %
Franchised margin dollars increased $28.0 million or 2% (3% in constant currencies) for the quarter primarily due to expansion.
In the U.S., the franchised margin percent decreased for the quarter due to negative comparable sales and higher depreciation related to reimaging.
In Europe, the franchised margin percent decreased for the quarter as positive comparable sales performance was more than offset by higher rent expense and the impact of refranchising in Germany and certain other markets.
In APMEA, the franchised margin percent decreased for the quarter partly due to the impact of refranchising and higher rent expense in Australia. The margin percent decrease reflected a higher proportion of conventionally-franchised restaurants relative to developmentally-licensed and affiliate restaurants. While this has a dilutive effect on the franchised margin percent, it results in higher franchised margin dollars.
Company-operated margin dollars increased $4.0 million or 1% (2% in constant currencies).
In the U.S., the Company-operated margin percent decreased slightly for the quarter as the positive impact of a higher average check, primarily due to pricing, was offset by negative comparable guest counts and higher commodity and crew labor costs.
In Europe, the Company-operated margin percent increased for the quarter as strong performance in France and the U.K. was partially offset by higher commodity costs in Russia, due to the weaker Russian Ruble.
In APMEA, the Company-operated margin percent for the quarter decreased as the impact of positive comparable sales was offset by higher labor, occupancy and other costs, as well as the negative impact of new restaurant openings. While the margin percent grew in several markets, including China and Australia, refranchising in Australia and the weaker Australian Dollar negatively impacted the segment's overall margin.
The following table presents Company-operated restaurant margin components as a percent of sales:
CONSOLIDATED COMPANY-OPERATED RESTAURANT EXPENSES AND MARGINS AS A PERCENT OF SALES
Quarters Ended March 31,
2014

 
2013

Food & paper
33.7
%
 
33.8
%
Payroll & employee benefits
26.2

 
26.3

Occupancy & other operating expenses
24.0

 
23.7

Total expenses
83.9
%
 
83.8
%
Company-operated margins
16.1
%
 
16.2
%

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Table of Contents

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $23.9 million or 4% (4% in constant currencies) for the quarter primarily due to costs related to the 2014 Winter Olympics and higher employee costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of revenues increased to 9.3% for the quarter 2014 compared with 9.0% for 2013, and as a percent of Systemwide sales increased to 2.9% for the quarter 2014 compared with 2.8% for 2013.
Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net
OTHER OPERATING (INCOME) EXPENSE, NET
Dollars in millions
Quarters Ended March 31,
2014

 
2013

Gains on sales of restaurant businesses
$
(29.0
)
 
$
(52.7
)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
(16.5
)
 
(18.7
)
Asset dispositions and other (income) expense, net
5.2

 
9.5

Total
$
(40.3
)
 
$
(61.9
)
The Company's sale of restaurants to franchisees are aimed at achieving an optimal ownership mix in each market. Gains on sales of restaurant businesses decreased for the quarter, primarily in Australia, the U.S. and China.
The Company's asset dispositions and other expense decreased primarily due to the gain on sale of a European market to a developmental licensee.
Operating Income
OPERATING INCOME
Dollars in millions
Quarters Ended March 31,
2014

 
2013

 
Inc/ (Dec)

 
Inc/ (Dec)
Excluding
Currency
Translation

U.S.
$
820.8

 
$
844.7

 
(3
)%
 
(3
)%
Europe
752.5

 
708.1

 
6

 
4

APMEA
345.1

 
381.9

 
(10
)
 
(2
)
Other Countries & Corporate
17.6

 
14.8

 
19

 
n/m

Total
$
1,936.0

 
$
1,949.5

 
(1
)%
 
1
 %
n/m Not meaningful
Operating income decreased $13.5 million or 1% (increased 1% in constant currencies) for the quarter.
In the U.S., operating results for the quarter reflected lower other operating income and lower restaurant margin dollars.
In Europe, constant currency operating results for the quarter were driven by higher restaurant margin dollars and higher other operating income, partly offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to the 2014 Winter Olympics.
In APMEA, constant currency operating results for the quarter decreased primarily due to lower gains on sales of restaurant businesses, mostly offset by higher franchised margin dollars.
Combined Operating Margin
Combined operating margin is defined as operating income as a percent of total revenues. Combined operating margin was 28.9% and 29.5% for the quarters 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased 6% for the quarter primarily due to higher average debt balances and interest rates.

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Table of Contents

Nonoperating (Income) Expense, Net
NONOPERATING (INCOME) EXPENSE, NET
Dollars in millions
Quarters Ended March 31,
2014

 
2013

Interest Income
$
(3.4
)
 
$
(4.0
)
Foreign currency and hedging activity
12.0

 
0.5

Other (income) expense, net
8.6

 
8.1

Total
$
17.2

 
$
4.6

Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate was 32.4% and 30.1% for the quarters 2014 and 2013, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the first quarter 2013 included a tax benefit of nearly $50 million, reflecting the retroactive impact of certain tax benefits as a result of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.
Cash Flows and Financial Position
The Company generates significant cash from operations and has substantial credit capacity to fund operating and discretionary spending such as capital expenditures, debt repayments, dividends and share repurchases.
Cash provided by operations totaled $1.9 billion and exceeded capital expenditures by $1.3 billion for the first quarter 2014 . Cash provided by operations increased $220.4 million compared with the first quarter 2013 , primarily due to changes in working capital, including lower incentive-based compensation payments.
Cash used for investing activities totaled $608.2 million for the first quarter 2014 , an increase of $83.7 million compared with the first quarter 2013 , primarily due to a net increase in other investing activities related to short-term time deposits, partly offset by lower capital expenditures.
Cash used for financing activities totaled $1.4 billion for the first quarter 2014 , a decrease of $213.8 million compared with the first quarter 2013 , due to an increase in net short-term borrowings, partly offset by higher treasury stock purchases.
Debt obligations at March 31, 2014 totaled $13.9 billion compared with $14.1 billion at December 31, 2013 . The decrease was primarily due to net debt repayments.

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Table of Contents

Risk Factors and Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this report includes forward-looking statements about our plans and future performance, including those under Outlook. These statements use such words as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe” and “plan.” They reflect our expectations and speak only as of the date of this report. We do not undertake to update them. Our expectations (or the underlying assumptions) may change or not be realized, and you should not rely unduly on forward-looking statements.
Our business results are subject to a variety of risks. The most important of these is whether we can remain relevant and a brand that customers trust. Meeting customer expectations is complicated by the risks inherent in our global operating environment. Challenging economic conditions continue to pressure our operating and financial performance. In particular, in some of our major markets, IEO segments may remain stagnant or experience modest growth, reflecting broad-based consumer caution, price sensitivity, and intensifying competitive activity by both traditional and non-traditional competitors. Further, certain menu, pricing and promotional decisions may continue to yield results below desired levels and could continue to negatively impact sales, guest counts and market share. We have the added challenge of differing cultural, regulatory and economic environments that exist within and among the more than 100 countries where McDonald’s restaurants operate. Our initiatives may not have universal appeal among different segments of our customer base and could drive unanticipated changes in guest counts and customer perceptions. Our operations, plans and results are also affected by many factors, including regulatory, tax and other initiatives around the world as described in this section.
The risks that can have an impact on the Company’s financial performance, both in the near- and long-term, are reflected in the following considerations and factors that we believe are most likely to affect our performance. In reviewing these risks, it is important to understand the Company’s business model. The Company’s restaurant margins arise from two sources: Company-operated restaurants and franchised restaurants. As it relates to our Company-operated restaurants, our business model is built around growing comparable sales to realize margin leverage, and given the conditions described in this section as well as persistent cost pressures, we expect margins for Company-owned restaurants will remain challenged in 2014. Our franchisees manage their businesses independently, and therefore are responsible for the operation of their restaurants. The margins the Company realizes from franchised restaurants are largely dependent on the ability of our franchisees to grow their sales and many of the factors described in this section will likely have a negative impact on franchised margins in 2014. Although the Company’s reported results do not include franchisee profits, their financial viability is important to our success as it enables franchisees to effectively deliver the McDonald’s experience.
Our ability to remain a relevant and trusted brand and to increase sales and profits depends largely on how well we execute the Plan to Win and our global growth priorities.
The Plan to Win aligns the McDonald's System (which represents the Company, its franchisees and suppliers) around the three global growth priorities that represent our greatest opportunities to drive results - optimizing our menu, modernizing the customer experience and broadening accessibility to our brand in order to remain relevant to our customers. It also keeps us focused on a common approach to execution through our continued emphasis on people, products, place, price and promotion. The quality of our execution depends mainly on the following:
Our System’s ability to anticipate and respond effectively to trends or other factors that affect the IEO segment and our competitive position in the diverse markets we serve, such as spending patterns, demographic changes, trends in food preparation, consumer preferences and publicity about us, all of which can drive perceptions of our business or affect the willingness of other companies to enter into site, supply or other arrangements with us;
Our System’s continued innovation in all aspects of the McDonald's experience, including successful menu enhancements, to differentiate the McDonald's experience in a way that balances value with margin levels;
The impact of changes to our value menu, which has been and will continue to be an important component of our System’s overall menu strategy; our ability to develop robust menu enhancements, and whether these will result in sales gains; our System’s ability to manage the complexity of our restaurant operations resulting from providing customers additional choices; our System’s ability to adapt our plans to deliver a locally-relevant experience in a highly competitive, value-driven operating environment; and our System’s ability to leverage promotional or operating successes across markets;
The risks associated with our franchise business model, including whether our franchisees have the experience and financial resources to be effective operators and remain aligned with us on operating, promotional and capital-intensive initiatives, especially during periods of underperformance, and the potential impact on us if they experience food safety or other operational problems or project a brand image inconsistent with our values, particularly if our contractual and other rights and remedies are limited, costly to exercise or subject to litigation;
The success of our System’s tiered approach to menu offerings; the impact of pricing, product, marketing and promotional plans on sales and margins; and our System’s ability to adjust these plans to respond quickly to changing economic and competitive conditions;
Our System’s ability to drive restaurant improvements that achieve optimal capacity, particularly during peak mealtime hours, and motivate McDonald’s restaurant personnel and our franchisees to achieve consistency and high service levels so as to improve perceptions of our System’s ability to meet expectations for quality food served in clean and friendly environments;

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Our System’s plans for restaurant reimaging and rebuilding, and whether we are able to identify and develop restaurant sites consistent with our System’s plans for net growth of System-wide restaurants and achieve our sales and profitability targets;
Our System’s ability to respond effectively to adverse perceptions about the quick-service category of the IEO segment or about our food (including its nutritional content and preparation), promotions and premiums, such as Happy Meal toys (collectively, our "products"), how we source the commodities we use, and our ability to manage the potential impact on McDonald's of food-borne illnesses or product safety issues;
The success of our sustainability initiatives to support our brand ambition of good food, good people and good neighbor, which will require System-wide coordination and alignment, including with our franchisees, and whether we will be effective in addressing these and other matters of social responsibility in a way that inspires trust and confidence;
The costs and risks associated with our System’s increasing reliance on technological and digital systems (e.g., point-of-sale and other in-store systems or platforms) that support our System-wide restaurants; the risk that we will not fully realize the benefits of the significant investments we are making to enhance the customer experience; the potential for technology system performance failures, security breaches involving our systems or those of third-party providers; legal risks associated with data collection, protection and management, in particular as it relates to information we collect when we provide technology-related services to franchisees; and litigation risk involving intellectual property rights;
The impact of economic action, such as boycotts or protests, employee strikes, and supply chain interruptions (including due to lack of supply or price increases) that can adversely affect us or the suppliers, franchisees and others that are also part of the McDonald's System and whose performance has a material impact on our results;
The impact of campaigns by labor organizations and activists, including through the use of social media and other mobile communications and applications, to promote adverse perceptions of the quick-service category of the IEO segment or our brand, management, suppliers or franchisees, or to promote or threaten specific economic action involving the industry, McDonald’s or our suppliers and franchisees;
Our System’s ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel to manage our operations and growth; and
Whether we will be able to develop an effective and compelling global digital strategy in the future that will enhance customer engagement and whether competitor loyalty initiatives will impact our ability to attract customers, particularly as these initiatives become established and customer acquisition costs (i.e., switching costs) increase.
Our results and financial condition are affected by global and local market conditions, and the prolonged challenging economic environment can be expected to continue to pressure our results.
Our results of operations are substantially affected by economic conditions, both globally and in local markets, and conditions can also vary substantially by market. The current global environment has been characterized by weak economies, high unemployment rates and inflationary pressures. Many major economies, both advanced and developing, are still facing ongoing economic issues. In the U.S., these include concerns about the long-term direction of federal fiscal policies. In many European markets, consumer and business confidence and spending remain muted. Important markets in Asia have also been experiencing slower growth rates. Uncertainty about the long-term environment could derail any potential improvements in economic activity for 2014.
These conditions have pressured our performance, adversely affecting sales, guest counts and/or our market share in many markets, including some major markets. We are also facing increasing competition from an expanded set of competitors that include many non-traditional market participants such as conventional retailers and coffee shops. To address this environment, we are intensifying our focus on increasing our relevance to drive guest counts through menu, pricing and promotional actions. Certain of these actions can adversely affect our margin percent and therefore we expect that margins will remain under pressure. The key factors that can affect our operations, plans and results in this environment are the following:
Whether our strategies will be effective in enabling market share gains, which have been achieved at declining rates in recent periods, while at the same time enabling us to achieve our targeted operating income growth despite the current adverse economic conditions, resurgent competitors and an increasingly complex and costly advertising environment;
The effectiveness of our supply chain management to assure reliable and sufficient product supply on favorable terms;
The impact on consumer disposable income levels and spending habits of governmental actions to manage national economic matters, whether through austerity or stimulus measures and initiatives intended to control wages, unemployment, credit availability, inflation, taxation and other economic drivers;
The impact on restaurant sales and margins of ongoing commodity price volatility, and the effectiveness of pricing, hedging and other actions taken to address this environment;
The impact on the margins of our Company-owned restaurants that we cannot offset through price increases, and the trend toward higher wages and social expenses in both mature and developing markets;
The impact of foreign exchange and interest rates on our financial condition and results;

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Table of Contents

The challenges and uncertainties associated with operating in developing markets, which may entail a relatively higher risk of political instability, economic volatility, crime, corruption and social and ethnic unrest, including the recent events in the Ukraine and Russia, all of which are exacerbated in many cases by a lack of an independent and experienced judiciary and uncertainties in how local law is applied and enforced, including in areas most relevant to commercial transactions and foreign investment;
The nature and timing of decisions about underperforming markets or assets, including decisions that result in impairment charges that reduce our earnings; and
The impact of changes in our debt levels on our credit ratings, interest expense, availability of acceptable counterparties, ability to obtain funding on favorable terms or our operating or financial flexibility, especially if lenders impose new operating or financial covenants.
Increasing legal and regulatory complexity will continue to affect our operations and results in material ways.
Our legal and regulatory environment worldwide exposes us to complex compliance, litigation and similar risks that could affect our operations and results in material ways. In many of our markets, including the United States and Europe, we are subject to increasing regulation, which has increased our cost of doing business. In developing markets, we face the risks associated with new and untested laws and judicial systems. Among the more important regulatory and litigation risks we face and must manage are the following:
The cost, compliance and other risks associated with the often conflicting and highly prescriptive regulations we face, including where inconsistent standards imposed by governmental authorities can adversely affect our business and increase our exposure to litigation or governmental investigations or proceedings;
The impact of new, potential or changing regulations that can affect our business plans, such as those relating to product packaging, marketing and the nutritional content and safety of our food and other products, as well as the risks and costs of our labeling and other disclosure practices, particularly given varying legal requirements and practices for testing and disclosure within our industry, ordinary variations in food preparation among our own restaurants, and the need to rely on the accuracy and completeness of information from third-party suppliers;
The impact of nutritional, health and other scientific studies and conclusions, which constantly evolve and often have contradictory implications, but nonetheless drive popular opinion, litigation and regulation (including initiatives intended to drive consumer behavior) in ways that could be material to our business;
The impact of litigation trends, particularly in our major markets, including class actions, employment and personal injury claims, litigation with or involving our relationship with franchisees, landlord/tenant disputes and intellectual property claims (including often aggressive or opportunistic attempts to enforce patents used in information technology systems); the relative level of our defense costs, which vary from period to period depending on the number, nature and procedural status of pending proceedings; the cost and other effects of settlements or judgments, which may require us to make disclosures or take other actions that may affect perceptions of our brand and products; and the scope and terms of insurance or indemnification protections that we may have;
Adverse results of pending or future litigation, including litigation challenging the composition and preparation of our products, or the appropriateness or accuracy of our marketing or other communication practices;
The risks and costs to us, our franchisees and our supply chain of the effects of climate change, greenhouse gases, energy and water resources, as well as the increased public focus, including by governmental and non-governmental organizations, on these and other environmental sustainability matters (e.g., packaging and waste, animal health and welfare and land use) and the increased pressure to make commitments or set targets and take actions to meet them, which could expose the Company to market, operational and execution costs or risks, particularly when actions are undertaken System-wide;
The increasing focus on workplace practices and conditions and costs and other effects of compliance with U.S. and overseas regulations affecting the Company’s workforce (both Company staff and employees working in our Company-owned restaurants), including those relating to wage and hour, healthcare, immigration, retirement and other employee benefits and unlawful workplace discrimination, and our potential exposure to reputational and other harm regarding our workplace practices or conditions or those of our independent franchisees or suppliers (or perceptions thereof);
Disruptions in our operations or price volatility in a market that can result from governmental actions, such as price, foreign exchange or import-export controls, increased tariffs or government-mandated closure of our or our suppliers' operations, and the cost and disruption of responding to governmental investigations or proceedings, whether or not they have merit;
The legal and compliance risks and costs associated with privacy, data protection and similar laws, particularly as they apply to children, the potential costs (including the loss of consumer confidence) arising from alleged security breaches of information systems, and the risk of resulting criminal penalties or civil liability related to such breaches;
The impact on our operations of tax and other regulations affecting capital flows, financial markets or financial institutions, which can limit our ability to manage and deploy our liquidity or increase our funding costs; and

21

Table of Contents

The impact of changes in financial reporting requirements, accounting principles or practices, including with respect to our critical accounting estimates, changes in tax accounting or tax laws (or related authoritative interpretations), particularly if corporate tax reform becomes a key component of budgetary initiatives in the United States and elsewhere, and the impact of settlements of pending or any future adjustments proposed by the IRS or other taxing authorities in connection with our tax audits, all of which will depend on their timing, nature and scope.
Trading volatility and price of our common stock may be affected by many factors.
Many factors affect the volatility and price of our common stock in addition to our operating results and prospects. The most important of these, some of which are outside our control, are the following:
The continuing unpredictable global economic and market conditions;
Governmental action or inaction in light of key indicators of economic activity or events that can significantly influence financial markets, particularly in the United States which is the principal trading market for our common stock, and media reports and commentary about economic or other matters, even when the matter in question does not directly relate to our business;
Changes in financial or tax reporting and accounting principles or practices that materially affect our reported financial condition and results and investor perceptions of our performance;
Trading activity in our common stock or trading activity in derivative instruments with respect to our common stock or debt securities, which can be affected by market commentary (including commentary that may be unreliable or incomplete); unauthorized disclosures about our performance, plans or expectations about our business; our actual performance and creditworthiness; investor confidence generally; actions by shareholders and others seeking to influence our business strategies; portfolio transactions in our stock by significant shareholders; or trading activity that results from the ordinary course rebalancing of stock indices in which McDonald's may be included, such as the S&P 500 Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average;
The impact of our stock repurchase program or dividend rate; and
The impact on our results of other corporate actions, such as those we may take from time to time as part of our continuous review of our corporate structure in light of business, legal and tax considerations.
Our results and prospects can be adversely affected by events such as severe weather conditions, natural disasters, hostilities and social unrest, among others.
Severe weather conditions, natural disasters, hostilities and social unrest, terrorist activities, health epidemics or pandemics (or expectations about them) can adversely affect consumer spending and confidence levels or other factors that affect our results and prospects, such as commodity costs. Our receipt of proceeds under any insurance we maintain with respect to certain of these risks may be delayed or the proceeds may be insufficient to offset our losses fully.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There were no material changes to the disclosure made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 regarding this matter.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2014 . Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. Such officers also confirm that there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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Table of Contents

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
There were no material changes to the disclosure made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 regarding these matters.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
This report 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. These and other risks are noted in the Risk Factors and Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements following Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities*
The following table presents information related to repurchases of common stock the Company made during the three months ended March 31, 2014 :
 
Period
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
 
Average Price
Paid
per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs (1)
 
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs  (1)
 
 
 
 
January 1 - 31, 2014
1,204,687

 
$
94.91

 
1,204,687

 
$
7,327,240,874

 
February 1 - 28, 2014
1,713,315

 
95.00

 
1,713,315

 
7,164,477,321

 
March 1 - 31, 2014
1,624,976

 
95.60

 
1,624,976

 
7,009,127,511

 
Total
4,542,978

 
$
95.19

 
4,542,978

 
 
*
Subject to applicable law, the Company may repurchase shares directly in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or pursuant to derivative instruments and plans complying with Rule 10b5-1, among other types of transactions and arrangements.

(1)
On July 19, 2012, the Company's Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program, effective August 1, 2012, that authorizes the purchase of up to $10 billion of the Company's outstanding common stock with no specified expiration date.



23

Table of Contents

Item 6. Exhibits  
Exhibit Number
 
 
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3)
 
(a)
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, effective as of June 14, 2012, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b)
 
By-Laws, as amended and restated with effect as of July 19, 2012, incorporated herein by reference from Form 8-K, filed July 20, 2012.
 
 
 
 
 
(4)
 
Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including Indentures:*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
 
Senior Debt Securities Indenture, incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (4)(a) of Form S-3 Registration Statement (File No. 333-14141), filed October 15, 1996.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b)
 
Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture, incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (4)(b) of Form S-3 Registration Statement (File No. 333-14141), filed October 15, 1996.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(10)
 
Material Contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
 
Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2008, incorporated herein by reference from Form 8-K, filed December 4, 2007.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b)
 
McDonald’s Excess Benefit and Deferred Bonus Plan, effective January 1, 2011, as amended and restated March 22, 2010, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(c)
 
McDonald’s Corporation Supplemental Profit Sharing and Savings Plan, effective as of September 1, 2001, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2001.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(i)
 
First Amendment to the McDonald’s Corporation Supplemental Profit Sharing and Savings Plan, effective as of January 1, 2002, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2002.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(ii)
 
Second Amendment to the McDonald’s Corporation Supplemental Profit Sharing and Savings Plan, effective January 1, 2005, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2004.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(d)
 
1992 Stock Ownership Incentive Plan, as amended and restated January 1, 2001, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended March 31, 2001.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(i)
 
First Amendment to McDonald’s Corporation 1992 Stock Ownership Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, effective as of February 14, 2007, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended March 31, 2007.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(e)
 
McDonald’s Corporation Executive Retention Replacement Plan, effective as of December 31, 2007 (as amended and restated on December 31, 2008), incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2008.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(f)
 
McDonald’s Corporation Amended and Restated 2001 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, effective July 1, 2008, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(i)
 
First amendment to the McDonald’s Corporation Amended and Restated 2001 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2008.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(ii)
 
Second Amendment to the McDonald’s Corporation Amended and Restated 2001 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan as amended, effective February 9, 2011, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2010.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(g)
 
McDonald's Corporation 2012 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, effective June 1, 2012, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(h)
 
McDonald’s Corporation 2009 Cash Incentive Plan, effective as of May 27, 2009, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

24


Exhibit Number
 
 
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(i)
 
McDonald's Corporation Target Incentive Plan, effective January 1, 2013, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(j)
 
McDonald's Corporation Cash Performance Unit Plan, effective February 13, 2013, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(k)
 
Form of Executive Stock Option Grant Agreement in connection with the Amended and Restated 2001 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, as amended, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2011.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(l)
 
Form of Executive Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement in connection with the Amended and Restated 2001 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, as amended, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2011.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(m)
 
Form of Executive Stock Option Award Agreement in connection with the 2012 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(n)
 
Form of Executive Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement in connection with the 2012 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(o)
 
Form of Special CPUP Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement in connection with the 2012 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(p)
 
McDonald’s Corporation Severance Plan, as Amended and Restated, effective September 9, 2013, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended September 30, 2013.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(q)
 
Form of McDonald's Corporation Tier I Change of Control Employment Agreement, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(r)
 
Amended Assignment Agreement between Timothy Fenton and the Company, dated January 2008, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(i)
 
2009 Amendment to the Amended Assignment Agreement between Timothy Fenton and the Company, effective as of January 1, 2009, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(s)
 
Description of Restricted Stock Units granted to Andrew J. McKenna, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(t)
 
Terms of the Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2001 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2010.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(u)
 
Executive Supplement describing the special terms of equity compensation awards granted to certain executive officers, pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2001 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, as amended, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(v)
 
Separation Agreement between Janice Fields and the Company, dated May 15, 2013, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(w)
 
Later Date Agreement between Janice Fields and the Company, dated May 15, 2013, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(x)
 
Assignment Agreement between Douglas Goare and the Company, effective January 1, 2012, incorporated herein by reference from Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2013.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(y)
 
Assignment Agreement between David Hoffmann and the Company, effective April 13, 2011, filed herewith.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(z)
 
Form of 2014 Executive Stock Option Award Agreement in connection with the 2012 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, filed herewith.**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(12)
 
 
 
Computation of Ratios.

25


Exhibit Number
 
 
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
(31.1)
 
 
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
 
 
 
 
(31.2)
 
 
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
 
 
 
 
 
(32.1)
 
 
 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 by the Chief Executive Officer, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(32.2)
 
 
 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 by the Chief Financial Officer, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(101.INS)
 
 
 
XBRL Instance Document.
 
 
 
 
 
(101.SCH)
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(101.CAL)
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(101.DEF)
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(101.LAB)
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(101.PRE)
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
Other instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the registrant, and all of its subsidiaries for which consolidated financial statements are required to be filed and which are not required to be registered with the Commission, are not included herein as the securities authorized under these instruments, individually, do not exceed 10% of the total assets of the registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. An agreement to furnish a copy of any such instruments to the Commission upon request has been filed with the Commission.
**
Denotes compensatory plan.

26


SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
McDONALD’S CORPORATION
        (Registrant)
 
 
 
/s/ Peter J. Bensen
May 6, 2014
Peter J. Bensen
 
Corporate Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer


27


Exhibit 10(y)


April 13, 2011
DAVID HOFFMANN

RE: Assignment to McD APMEA Franchising Pte. Ltd.

Dear Dave,

The purpose of this letter is to review and confirm your compensation and benefits package and other terms and conditions for your assignment to McD APMEA Franchising Pte. Ltd. (“MAF”). While on this assignment, you will remain employed by your current employer, McDonald’s APMEA, LLC (“McD APMEA”) and will remain on its payroll. The terms and conditions of your employment with McD APMEA will remain in full force and effect, except to the extent they are expressly modified by the terms of this letter. It is our mutual understanding that the terms and conditions outlined in this letter will be in effect only for the duration of this assignment.
 
Your assignment to MAF is subject, of course, to your obtaining, and maintaining for the duration of the assignment, all necessary and appropriate medical clearances, foreign government work/residence/entry documents or visa, and your acceptance of the terms and conditions outlined in this letter. It is also governed by such guidelines as are applied to employees of McD APMEA and its subsidiaries working on international assignments, as more fully set forth in the Global Assignee Policy. Such guidelines may be modified or amended, from time to time, with or without prior notice to you, consistent with the United States (“U.S.”) law.

Outlined below you will find the following:
Purpose of Your Assignment
Compensation and Benefits
Relocation Assistance
Other Terms

Purpose of Your Assignment

The primary purpose of your assignment to MAF is to temporarily fill a position. The duration of the assignment is expected to be two or three years, commencing May 1, 2011. This assignment may be extended by mutual agreement.

During your assignment, you will act as Vice President of Strategy & Insight for APMEA for MAF. You will be based at the offices of MAF at at No. 1 Kim Seng Promenade #08-01, Great World City East Tower, Singapore 237994 and you will report to the President of APMEA. During your assignment, you shall

provide such services as are requested from time-to-time by MAF, acting only and on behalf of MAF;





perform such services and act in the capacity in which you are seconded with all reasonable skill, judgment, care and diligence, in accordance with good industry practices and international standards;
devote the whole of your time, attention and skill to the duties of your assignment, and will not engage in activities or another work project for any other person without the prior consent of MAF;
report to and act in accordance exclusively with the requests of MAF;
not negotiate or enter into any contracts in the name of McD APMEA or otherwise take any action on behalf of McD APMEA, and you acknowledge that you are not authorized to take any such action.

You agree to perform all services and duties hereunder in a manner consistent with applicable law and the professional and public responsibilities of a similarly situated individual employed by MAF. You agree and acknowledge that, you shall comply with all of MAF’s written policies applicable to employees working in Singapore.

You also acknowledge that during your assignment, you may be reasonably required to act or serve as an officer, authorized signatory, nominee or in any other official capacity on behalf of MAF, as may be required by MAF. Upon the termination of your assignment to MAF, you undertake to resign all or any such appointments.

Compensation and Benefits

Your compensation and benefits package is designed to provide you with a level of compensation and benefits that is approximately comparable to your home country of the U.S., which is also referred to as your “point of origin.” McDonald’s uses a balance sheet approach to help ensure that your standard of living in Singapore will be reasonably comparable to that you would have enjoyed in U.S. We have taken into consideration information provided by an external consultant regarding differences in costs that may reasonably be anticipated as a result of living in Singapore.

A copy of your assignee compensation worksheet (balance sheet) is attached to this letter.

Base Salary

Your current annual gross base salary is US$253,000. Your new salary reflecting an off-cycle increase effective May 1, 2011 will be US$266,000. You will receive annual salary and performance reviews based on McD APMEA’s guidelines. Your next salary review will be on March 1, 2012.
 
Target Incentive Program (TIP)

You will be eligible to be considered for a TIP payment under McD APMEA’s targeted incentive program at your target level (currently 50%). In the event you are promoted while on assignment to a position with a different target percentage, the percentages will be pro rated during the year in which the promotion occurs. The team performance factor of TIP will be pro rated based on the locations and business units to which you were assigned during the course of the year. The TIP calculation will be based on the year-end business performance of each applicable business unit. The timing of the TIP payment is governed by the Global Assignee Policy.





Long Term Incentives

McDonald’s Corporation has advised that during this assignment you will continue to be eligible for long term incentives under McDonald’s Corporation’s LTI program and that the amounts of LTI will be determined in consideration of the guidelines for McD APMEA.

Retirement Plans

Subject to plan rules and eligibility, while on this assignment you will continue to participate in the retirement plan(s) in which you participated prior to this assignment as an employee of McD APMEA.

Cost of Living Differential

A tax-free cost of living (COL) differential is a differential paid to compensate you for the higher costs of goods and services in Singapore as compared to the U.S. The amount of COL is determined by an external consulting firm and is adjusted up or down as warranted due to an index fluctuation of five or more points.

Family Allowance

You will receive a family assistance allowance to compensate you for additional family expenses. The amount of this tax-free allowance is US$5,000 annually for your accompanying spouse and US$1,000 for each eligible dependent residing with you in Singapore. Details concerning timing of payments, proration of the first year allowance based on the starting date of the assignment, and other matters, are governed by the Global Assignee Policy.

Home Leave Allowance

You are eligible to receive a home leave allowance for approximately the cost of two round trips between Singapore, Singapore and Chicago, Illinois for you, your spouse and eligible dependents. The allowance will be based on a round-trip lowest available business airfare during peak season. While you are encouraged to return home on your leave, you may choose other destinations. Details concerning timing of payments, proration of first year allowance based on the starting date of the assignment, and other matters, are governed by the Global Assignee Policy.

Medical Coverage/Insurance

You will be provided with medical insurance coverage approximately equivalent to that which you have had while working in the U.S. The selection of insurance provider and determination of equivalence will be solely within McDonald’s discretion. In the event that you are contributing to medical coverage/insurance in the U.S., an equal amount will be deducted from your pay while on assignment. This amount will be adjusted if the amount you would pay if you remained in U.S. is adjusted for employees at your level.





Holidays/Vacation

You will follow the public holidays schedule in effect in Singapore. You will continue the same eligibility for vacation as in the U.S. Your work schedule will be in accordance with the work schedule of MAF.

Sabbatical Entitlement

Your eligibility for sabbatical will be determined under McD APMEA policy. If you intend to take your sabbatical during your assignment you must give at least 6 months advance notice and obtain permission from both McD APMEA and MAF prior to taking the sabbatical.

Automobile

You will receive a company car based on Singapore’s company car policy. If you are contributing to provision of a company car in U.S., an equal amount will be deducted from your pay while on assignment. This amount will be adjusted if the amount you would pay if you remained in U.S. is adjusted for employees at your level.

Children’s Education

MAF will pay tuition, registration fees, and school-provided transportation costs for elementary and secondary education for your accompanying dependent children in the event that available public schools do not provide a comparable education to your home country’s public school system. MAF will not pay for expenses such as extra curricular activity fees, special lessons, music lessons, lunch, or physical education clothing.

Tax Equalization

You will be eligible for tax equalization during your international assignment in accordance with the Global Assignee Policy. The objectives of the tax equalization program are:

to ensure the employee working outside of his/her home country does not either materially gain or incur an additional tax burden as a result of the international assignment; and
to provide tax assistance to the employee to ensure compliance with home and host country tax laws.

Under tax equalization, you will pay approximately the same amount of income taxes that you would have paid if you had remained working in the U.S. Since your actual U.S. federal, Illinois state and Singapore income taxes may be more or less than what you would have paid in the U.S., the following process will be used to tax equalize you:
A hypothetical U.S. federal and state income tax will be withheld from your base salary, TIP, and long term incentives. The hypothetical tax withheld is an estimate and will be reconciled as described below. Actual U.S. social taxes will continue to be withheld to the extent possible.





Once your U.S. federal, state, and Singapore income tax returns have been prepared, a calculation of your final U.S. federal and state hypothetical tax will be made. This calculation will include your personal income such as interest, dividends and sales of property, etc.
The computed U.S. federal and state hypothetical tax will be compared to the U.S. federal and state hypothetical tax that was withheld throughout the year. If the withholding was higher than the computed hypothetical tax, McDonald’s will refund the difference to you within 30 days. Likewise if the hypothetical tax withheld was less than the final hypothetical tax, you must pay the difference to McDonald’s within 30 days.
McD APMEA and MAF will make payments of any actual U.S. federal, state, and Singapore income and social taxes either by making the payments directly or by reimbursing you.

McDonald's has retained the accounting firm of Deloitte Tax LLP to prepare your U.S. federal, state, Singapore, and Japan income tax returns and to prepare the hypothetical tax reconciliation calculations.

Club Membership

Subject to the written approval of the Corporate Vice President of Global Total Compensation, you will be reimbursed for one club membership provided the purpose and use of the club membership is exclusively for conducting Company business. Reimbursement will be made in accordance with MAF’s expense policy.

Relocation Assistance

Please contact Maggie Borgh in Oak Brook to review Relocation Assistance (630-623-6319, maggie.borgh@us.mcd.com).

Relocation Services

An external relocation company will provide you with assistance throughout your relocation, including assistance with the following items:
Relocation Policy Consulting
Assignment Housing Search Assistance
Assignment Lease Negotiation
Payments of rent and deposits
Property Management - U.S.
Lease Termination - Japan
Shipping and Storing your goods
Temporary Living Accommodations
Settling in Services
Cross Cultural Training
Language Training
Relocation Reimbursements
Repatriation Assistance





Property Management - U.S.

McDonald’s will provide you with reimbursement of reasonable and customary costs for property management in the U.S. Any housing you decide to sell or maintain in the U.S. during your assignment, including all associated expenses, is your responsibility.

Assignment Housing

Your Monthly Rental Housing Budget is SGD$22,500 .
Your Monthly Rental Furniture Budget is SGD$4,500 .

Your combined monthly rental budget of SGD$ 27,000 includes housing rent, furniture rental, and can also be used for parking fees. In addition to the combined budget, basic utilities such as gas and electric will be reimbursed through the MI Group. A ny amounts over your total combined budget (stated above) are your responsibility. A ll other housing costs such as telephone, internet, cable TV, maids, lawn service and personal goods, and personal property and liability insurances are also your responsibility. Your housing budget assumes that all required maintenance costs are included under your lease agreement.

McDonald’s has the discretion to change the final housing budget to reflect current market data at the time of your relocation.

Cross Cultural Training and Language Lessons

You and your accompanying spouse will be provided with cross-cultural training. Dependent children relocating with you may be eligible as well. You and your accompanying spouse are also eligible for language lessons. All arrangements for cross-cultural training and language lessons should be made through the relocation company the MI Group.

Relocation Allowances

A Miscellaneous Moving Allowance equal to one month of your current annual gross base salary is paid at the time of relocation to the assignment location and again upon repatriation. The minimum payment is US$4,000 net with the maximum of US $10,000 net. This allowance is intended to cover all miscellaneous and incidental relocation expenses.
You are also eligible for an Appliance Allowance reimbursement for large appliance purchases necessary upon arrival to your assignment location, up to the maximum of US$3,000 net.

Shipment and Storage of Goods

You are eligible for:
One air shipment of 750 pounds/340 kilos
One ocean shipment of 40ft/67m 3  





Storage of remaining belongings in the U.S. (as necessary) for the duration of your assignment but not to exceed five (5) years.
 
Covered services include packing, loading, transportation, transit insurance, storage, unloading, unpacking and removal of empty boxes at destination. Prohibited items are excluded.

Direct Family Move

McD APMEA will pay for travel expenses to your assignment location for you and your accompanying family members. McD APMEA also will cover reasonable excess baggage and meal costs for you and your family during the trip.

Temporary Living

If you are unable to secure housing that coincides with your arrival date, MAF will provide temporary living accommodations for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependants for up to a 60-day period.

Repatriation Relocation Assistance

Upon repatriation (returning to the U.S.), McD APMEA will support you with the global assignee program that is in effect when you begin your relocation back to the U.S.


Other Terms

Human Resource Policies

To the extent not altered in this assignment letter, McD APMEA’s benefits and compensation guidelines and Global Assignee policies (including home leave, tax equalization, and other benefits and compensation guidelines) will apply to you and your family. Such guidelines and policies may be changed from time to time by McDonald’s at it sole discretion, consistent with U.S. law.

Data Protection

Personal information related to you and your family in connection with your employment and your assignment will need to be processed for purposes related thereto, and such information may need to be sent to and from the U.S., Singapore, and Japan. The laws and regulations relating to the processing of data in these countries may differ from those of your home country and from one another. By signing below, you unequivocally agree on behalf of yourself (if legal without consent form: and your family members) to all such transmittal and processing of such data.

Extension of Assignment/Localization

The duration of your assignment to MAF may be extended based on business needs and career plans by written mutual agreement. As outlined in the Global Assignee Policy, you may be considered for localization to the payroll of MAF if you stay in the same assignment location for over five years. In localization, the terms and conditions of employment with MAF will be established for you with consideration given to local practice and policy. The AOW HR Leader must approve any extension of assignee status beyond five years in the same location.





Governing Law

This assignment letter shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the U.S. and the State of Illinois, without reference to principles of conflicts of laws. To the extent that you are entitled to rights, benefits or compensation under the laws of both the U.S. and the State of Illinois), you agree that you will be entitled to such rights, benefits, or compensation that are no greater than those provided to you under the terms of this letter agreement, so that any advantages that may accrue to you under the laws of both jurisdictions may not be combined. In the event of any dispute arising with respect to this assignment letter, which cannot be amicably resolved, the courts of the U.S. and the State of Illinois shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction over any and all such claims.

Termination While Overseas

Your assignment to MAF may be voluntarily ended by you or involuntarily by either McD APMEA or MAF at will, with or without notice or reason, and without payment of any indemnity therefore unless expressly required by the law applicable to MAF. If your assignment ends for whatever reason and you continue to be an employee of McD APMEA or a McDonald’s subsidiary or joint venture, you will be provided or reimbursed for return airfare (coach/economy class unless the flight is over 6 hours in length in which case business class airfare will be used) for you, your spouse/domestic partner and your eligible dependents. Within prescribed limits and in accordance with policy, your household goods will be shipped to your point of origin or, if appropriate, to the place of your next assignment, whether in or outside U.S.

If you voluntarily terminate your employment with McD APMEA while on assignment, you are solely responsible for your own and your family’s relocation and repatriation. If your employment with McD APMEA is involuntarily terminated while you are on assignment, McD APMEA will provide or reimburse you for return airfare (coach/economy class unless the flight is over 6 hours in length in which case business class airfare will be used) for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents, and will provide for shipment of your household goods within prescribed limits to your point of origin. This reimbursement and shipment is contingent on your moving back to U.S. within 60 days of termination.

You understand that this letter is not to be construed as a guarantee of employment for any period of time. Your employment with McD APMEA shall continue to be terminable at will.





For more information on any of the matters in this letter, please go to the Global Mobility section of the Global Human Resources website on accessmcd.

Summary

Please accept our congratulations and wishes for your success on your new assignment. If you should have any questions, please contact Marisela Perez.

 
 
 
/s/ Shaun Ruming
 
January 12, 2011
Shaun Ruming
 
DATE
APMEA VP of Human Resources
 
 

 
 
 
/s/ Don Crosby
 
November 28, 2011
Don Crosby
 
DATE
Senior VP of Interantional & Corporate Human Resources



Please sign and return this letter to Marisela Perez.

I hereby agree and accept this assignment as outlined above. I understand that nothing contained herein shall be considered to be a guarantee of employment for the estimated duration of the assignment. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE RECEIVED, READ AND UNDERSTAND MCDONALD’S GLOBAL ASSIGNEE AND TAX EQUALIZATION POLICIES.
 
 
 
/s/ David Hoffmann
 
November 1, 2011
David Hoffmann
 
DATE



CC:     Varsha Vig - Global Mobility
Kara McClain - Deloitte Tax LLP Chicago
Sunny Fong - HR APMEA    
Maggie Borgh - Corporate Relocation
Alan Tecktiel- Corporate HR




Exhibit 10(z)



McDONALD’S CORPORATION
2012 OMNIBUS STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
STOCK OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
McDONALD’S CORPORATION (the “ Company ” or “ McDonald’s ”), hereby grants to the individual named in the chart below (the “ Optionee ”), the number of options to purchase shares of the Company’s Stock (the “ Options ”) for the Option Price per share (the “ Option Price ”), both as set forth in the chart below. These Options shall vest and terminate according to the vesting schedule and termination provisions described below in this Stock Option Award Agreement, including any Appendices (together, the “ Agreement ”). The Options shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the McDonald’s Corporation 2012 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan, as amended (the “ Plan ”).
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning provided in the Plan. The Plan is incorporated into, and made a part of, this Agreement.
Optionee:
 
Number of Options:
 
Type of Option Grant:
Non-Qualified Stock Option
Option Price:
$
Grant Date
 
Expiration Date:
10 th  Anniversary of the Grant Date
Vesting Schedule:
25% on first anniversary of Grant Date
25% on second anniversary of Grant Date
25% on third anniversary of Grant Date
25% on fourth anniversary of Grant Date

1. Executive Retention Replacement Plan . If the Optionee participates in the Company’s Executive Retention Replacement Plan (the “ ERRP ”), the treatment of the Options upon the Optionee’s termination of employment (within the meaning of the ERRP) is governed by the terms of the ERRP, which terms will supersede any provisions of this Agreement and the Plan to the extent they are inconsistent with the ERRP.

2. Termination of Employment . For purposes of this Section 2, the date of Termination of Employment will be the last date that the Optionee is classified as an employee in the payroll system of the Company or applicable Subsidiary , provided that in the case of a Optionee who is subject to U.S. federal income tax (a “U.S. Taxpayer”), the date of Termination of Employment will be the date that the Optionee experiences a “separation from service,” in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A. The Committee shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when the Optionee is no longer employed for purposes of the Options, this Agreement and the Plan.





(a) Termination Within One Year of the Grant Date . If the Optionee has a Termination of Employment for any reason other than death or Disability prior to the 12-month anniversary of the Grant Date, all Options will be immediately forfeited.

(b) Termination for Cause . If the Optionee has a Termination of Employment for Cause, all vested and unvested Options shall terminate immediately; provided, however, that if the Optionee has a Termination of Employment for Cause due solely to a Policy Violation (which means a termination resulting from the commission of any act or acts which violate the Standards of Business Conduct of the Company or a Subsidiary or any successor thereto (including underlying polices or policies specifically referenced therein), as the same is in effect and applicable to the Optionee at the time of the Optionee’s violation), the provisions of subsection 2(c) below shall apply.

(c) Termination Due to Policy Violation . If the Optionee has a Termination of Employment for Cause due solely to a Policy Violation (as determined by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion), any Options vested on the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Employment may be exercised not later than the 90th day following the Optionee’s Termination of Employment (but not beyond the Expiration Date). Any unvested Options shall be forfeited as of the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Employment.

(d) Termination on Account of Death or Disability . If the Optionee has a Termination of Employment on account of death or Disability (including during the first 12 months following the Grant Date), any unexercised Options, whether or not vested on the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Employment, may be exercised at any time within three years after such Termination of Employment (but not beyond the Expiration Date); and in the case of death, the Options may be exercised by (i) the Optionee’s personal representative or by the person to whom the Options are transferred by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution or (ii) the Optionee’s beneficiary designated in accordance with Section 8 of the Plan.

For purposes of subsections (e) and (f) that follow, the term “ Company Service ” means the Optionee’s aggregate number of years of employment with the Company and any Subsidiary, including employment with any Subsidiary during the period before it became a Subsidiary.
(e) Termination on Account of Retirement

i. Termination with At Least 68 Years of Combined Age and Service . If the Optionee voluntarily terminates employment and (i) the Optionee’s combined age and years of Company Service is equal to or greater than 68, (ii) the Optionee provides six months advance written notice of his or her intention to terminate employment to the Corporate Vice President - Global Total Compensation, (iii) the Optionee executes and delivers (and does not revoke) a release agreement satisfactory to the Company and (iv) the Optionee executes and delivers a non-competition agreement covering a period of 18 months in a form satisfactory to the Company as permitted by applicable law (as the Committee may require), any unvested Options that would have vested within three years following the Optionee’s Termination of Employment, will become exercisable in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth above in this Agreement, and any exercisable Options may be exercised at any time prior to and including the Expiration Date. If the Optionee executes and delivers a non-competition agreement, and then violates the provisions of that agreement (in the Committee’s discretion), all unexercised Options will immediately terminate and will not be exercisable.

ii. Termination of Employment After Attaining Age 60 with 20 or More Years of Service . If the Optionee voluntarily terminates employment after attaining age 60 with 20 years or more of Company Service and the Optionee executes and delivers (and does not revoke) a release agreement satisfactory to the Company, any unvested Options that would have vested within three years following the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Employment will become exercisable in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth above in this Agreement, and any exercisable Options may be exercised at any time prior to and including the Expiration Date.

iii. Termination of Employment After Attaining Age 60 with Less than 20 Years of Service . If the Optionee terminates employment (other than for Cause) after attaining age 60 but before completing 20 years of Company Service and the Optionee executes and delivers (and does not revoke) a release agreement satisfactory to





the Company, any Options exercisable on the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Employment may be exercised at any time within one year after such Termination of Employment (but not beyond the Expiration Date). All unvested Options will be forfeited as of the date of Termination of Employment.

(f) Termination on Account of Special Circumstances . If the Optionee has a Termination of Employment due to Special Circumstances (which means, a Termination of Employment due to the Optionee becoming an owner-operator of a McDonald’s restaurant in connection with his or her Termination of Employment or a Termination of Employment by the Company or a Subsidiary without Cause, in each case, where the Optionee’s combined age and years of Company Service meets the threshold set forth in the chart below and the Optionee satisfies the additional conditions set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) below, as applicable), the Options, to the extent unvested as of the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Employment, will, for the applicable period after the Optionee’s Termination of Employment specified in the chart below, become vested in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth above in this Agreement and any vested Options may be exercised at any time within the applicable period specified in the chart below after such Termination of Employment (but not beyond the Expiration Date). As of the expiry of the applicable period specified in the chart below after the Optionee’s Termination of Employment, any Options that remain unvested will be forfeited.
Age and Years of
Company Service
Additional Vesting
and Time to Exercise
 
 
68 plus years
3 Years
 58 to 67 years
2 Years
  48 to 57 years
1 Year

i. Termination of Employment Without Cause . In the case of the Optionee’s Termination of Employment by the Company or a Subsidiary without Cause, to qualify for the treatment provided in this subsection (f), the Optionee must execute and deliver (i) a release agreement satisfactory to the Company (which the Optionee does not revoke) and (ii) a non-competition agreement covering a period of 18 months in a form satisfactory to the Company as permitted by applicable law (as the Committee or its delegee may require). If the Optionee executes and delivers a non-competition agreement, and then violates the provisions of that agreement (in the Committee’s discretion), all unexercised Options will immediately terminate and will not be exercisable.

ii. Termination due to Change in Status to Owner-Operator . If the Optionee becomes an owner-operator of a McDonald’s restaurant in connection with his or her Termination of Employment, to qualify for the above treatment, the Optionee must execute and deliver (and not revoke) a release agreement satisfactory to the Company.

(g) Termination Due to Disaffiliation . If the Optionee has a Termination of Employment because of a Disaffiliation (Disaffiliation of a Subsidiary means the Subsidiary’s ceasing to be a Subsidiary for any reason (including, without limitation, as a result of a public offering, or a spinoff or sale by the Company, of the stock of the Subsidiary)) and the Optionee executes and delivers (and does not revoke) a release agreement satisfactory to the Company, any Options vested on the date of the Disaffiliation may be exercised at any time within one year following the Disaffiliation (but not beyond the Expiration Date). All unvested Options shall be forfeited as of the date of the Disaffiliation. If, however, the Options are assumed by another entity, this rule will not apply and the Options will continue in effect, subject to any changes as may be made to reflect the assumption of the Options.





(h) Any Other Reason . If the Optionee has a Termination of Employment for a reason other than those specified in Sections 2(a)-(g) above, any Options vested on the date of the Optionee’s Termination of Employment may be exercised not later than the 90th day following the Optionee’s Termination of Employment (but not beyond the Expiration Date). All unvested Options shall be forfeited as of the date of Termination of Employment.

(i) Selection of Rule . If the Optionee’s Termination of Employment is covered by more than one of the foregoing rules, the applicable rule that is the most favorable to the Optionee shall apply, except that (i) in the case of a Termination of Employment as described in Section 2(a) above, Section 2(a) shall apply; (ii) in the case of a Termination of Employment for Cause, the Committee shall have the sole and absolute discretion to determine whether the Optionee is eligible for the treatment described in Section 2(c) above; and (iii) in the case of a Termination Due to Disaffiliation, Section 2(g) shall apply.

3. Responsibility for Taxes . Except to the extent prohibited by law, regardless of any action the Company or, if different, the Optionee’s employer (the “ Employer ”) takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to the Optionee’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable to the Optionee or deemed by the Company or the Employer in their discretion to be an appropriate charge to the Optionee even if legally applicable to the Company or the Employer (“ Tax-Related Items ”), the Optionee acknowledges that liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Optionee’s responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company or the Employer. The Optionee further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Options, including the grant, vesting or exercise of the Options, the subsequent sale of shares of Stock acquired as a result of such exercise and the receipt of any dividends; and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Options to reduce or eliminate the Optionee’s liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Furthermore, if the Optionee has become subject to Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction between the Grant Date and the date of any relevant taxable event, the Optionee acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (or former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

The Optionee authorizes the Company and/or the Employer, or their respective agents, at their discretion, to satisfy the obligations with regard to all Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following: (i) withholding from the Optionee’s wages or other cash compensation paid to the Optionee by the Company and/or the Employer; or (ii) withholding from proceeds of the sale of shares of Stock acquired at exercise of the Options, either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company (on the Optionee’s behalf pursuant to this authorization). The Optionee shall pay to the Company or the Employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Employer may be required to withhold or account for as a result of the Optionee’s participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Company may refuse to issue or deliver shares of Stock or the proceeds of the sale of shares of Stock if the Optionee fails to comply with his or her obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.





4. Repayment/Forfeiture . Any benefits the Optionee may receive hereunder shall be subject to repayment or forfeiture as may be required to comply with (i) any applicable listing standards of a national securities exchange adopted in accordance with Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (regarding recovery of erroneously awarded compensation) and any implementing rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted thereunder, (ii) similar rules under the laws of any other jurisdiction and (iii) any policies adopted by the Company to implement such requirements, all to the extent determined by the Company in its discretion to be applicable to the Optionee.

5. No Employment or Service Contract . Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary for any period of specific duration or interfere with or restrict in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary, which is hereby expressly reserved, to remove, terminate or discharge the Optionee at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause and with or without advance notice.

6. Governing Law . The Options are governed by, and subject to, United States federal and Illinois state law (without regard to the conflict of law provisions) and the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange as well as the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement.

7. Electronic Delivery and Acceptance . The Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means and/or require the Optionee to accept this Option or any future option grant by electronic means. The Optionee hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees that acceptance of this Option and any future option grant may be through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

8. Severability . The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.

9. Waiver . The waiver by the Company with respect to compliance of any provision of this Agreement by the Optionee shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach of such party of any provision of this Agreement.

10. Headings . The headings in this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only, and are to be disregarded in any construction of the provisions of this Agreement.

11. Appendices . The Appendices constitute part of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the provisions in this Agreement, the Options shall be subject to any special terms and conditions set forth in the Appendices to this Agreement.

12. Entire Agreement . Except as set forth in Section 1 above, this Agreement and the Plan reflect the exclusive agreement between the parties regarding the subject matter herein and supersedes any prior understandings or agreements, whether oral or written, in respect of such subject matter.





By accepting the Options, the Optionee agrees to the terms of this Agreement and the Plan.
    
BY:
 
    
PRINT NAME:
 
    
DATE:
 





APPENDIX A
Power of Attorney
This Appendix A to the Agreement is a Power of Attorney that the Optionee authorizes by participating in the Plan. Certain capitalized terms used but not defined in this Appendix A have the meanings set forth in the Agreement (including the Appendix) or the Plan.

I hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint the Corporate Secretary and each Assistant Corporate Secretary of McDonald’s Corporation as my true and lawful attorney-in-fact (“Attorney”) with full power and authority and full power of substitution and resubstitution, to take in my name and on my behalf any and all actions necessary or desirable to meet any withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items as contemplated by the Agreement, including any and all of the following actions:
(i) To sell in my name and on my behalf such number of shares of the common stock of McDonald’s I acquire at vesting to the extent that McDonald’s, in its sole discretion, determines that such sale is necessary and/or advisable in connection with tax withholding requirements under local law and/or regulations as a result of the vesting and exercise of any Options and to pay in my name and on my behalf my proportionate share of any lawful dealer’s commission or discount and related expenses of such sale;
(ii) To direct in my name and on my behalf the payment to McDonald’s of the proceeds of such sale (net of any brokerage commissions) to the extent that McDonald’s, in its sole discretion, determines is necessary and/or advisable in order to satisfy and discharge any such withholding obligation, with any excess to be returned to me by depositing the same in my Merrill Lynch account; and
(iii) To execute such agreements and other documents and to take such other and further actions as may be necessary or desirable, as determined by the Attorney, to effectuate the foregoing.
This Power of Attorney is an agency coupled with an interest and all authority conferred hereby shall be irrevocable and shall not be terminated by me or by operation of law, whether by my death or incapacity or by the occurrence of any other event or events. If, after the execution hereof and prior to the vesting and exercise of the Options, I should die or become incapacitated, actions taken by the Attorney hereunder and under the Agreement shall be as valid as if such death or incapacity had not occurred, regardless of whether the Attorney or McDonald’s has received notice of such death or incapacity.
To induce any transfer agent or other third party to act, I hereby agree that any transfer agent or other third party receiving a duly executed copy or facsimile of this Power of Attorney may act upon it. I for myself and for my heirs, executors, legal representatives and assigns hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless any such transfer agent or other third party from and against any and all claims that may arise against such transfer agent or other third party by reason of such transfer agent or third party having relied on this Power of Attorney.
This Power of Attorney shall automatically terminate (without affecting any lawful action taken hereunder, which shall survive such termination) immediately upon the satisfaction and discharge of all withholding obligations for Tax-Related Items in connection with any Options to me under the Plan.
The Attorney shall be entitled to act and rely upon any representation, warranty, agreement, statement, request, notice or instruction respecting this Power of Attorney given by me, not only as to the authorization, validity and





effectiveness thereof, but also as to the truth and accuracy of information therein contained. I agree that the Attorney assumes no responsibility or liability to any person, including me, other than to direct the transactions expressly contemplated hereby. I also agree that the Attorney makes no representation about, and has no responsibility for, any aspect of the Plan or the Options, and the Attorney shall not be liable for any error of judgment, for any act done or omitted or for any mistake of fact or law except for the Attorney’s own willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith.
This Power of Attorney shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to any otherwise applicable conflicts of law or choice of law principles.








Exhibit 12. Computation of Ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dollars in millions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ended March 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Earnings available for fixed charges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- Income before provision for income taxes
$
1,783.3

 
$
1,816.8

 
$
8,204.5

 
$
8,079.0

 
$
8,012.2

 
$
7,000.3

 
$
6,487.0

- Noncontrolling interest expense in operating
results of majority-owned subsidiaries less
equity in undistributed operating results of
less than 50%-owned affiliates
2.4

 
1.9

 
9.0

 
11.1

 
13.3

 
10.4

 
7.5

- Income tax provision (benefit) of 50%-owned
affiliates included in income from continuing
operations before provision for income taxes
5.5

 
8.1

 
23.8

 
64.0

 
65.5

 
28.7

 
47.7

- Portion of rent charges (after reduction for rental
income from subleased properties) considered
to be representative of interest factors*
95.0

 
93.3

 
374.6

 
358.1

 
339.4

 
315.4

 
302.8

- Interest expense, amortization of debt discount
and issuance costs, and depreciation of
capitalized interest*
141.9

 
134.8

 
548.9

 
550.1

 
520.5

 
479.1

 
504.5

 
$
2,028.1

 
$
2,054.9

 
$
9,160.8

 
$
9,062.3

 
$
8,950.9

 
$
7,833.9

 
$
7,349.5

Fixed charges
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

- Portion of rent charges (after reduction for rental
income from subleased properties) considered
to be representative of interest factors*
$
95.0

 
$
93.3

 
$
374.6

 
$
358.1

 
$
339.4

 
$
315.4

 
$
302.8

- Interest expense, amortization of debt discount
and issuance costs*
137.8

 
130.6

 
532.1

 
532.8

 
503.0

 
461.5

 
486.9

- Capitalized interest*
3.4

 
3.5

 
15.6

 
16.1

 
14.0

 
12.0

 
11.9

 
$
236.2

 
$
227.4

 
$
922.3

 
$
907.0

 
$
856.4

 
$
788.9

 
$
801.6

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
8.59

 
9.04

 
9.93

 
9.99

 
10.45

 
9.93

 
9.17

*
Includes amounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries, and one-half of the amounts of 50%-owned affiliates. The Company records interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes. This interest is not included in the computation of fixed charges.





Exhibit 31.1.
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
I, Donald Thompson, certify that:
(1)
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of McDonald’s Corporation;
(2)
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
(3)
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
(4)
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
(5)
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: May 6, 2014
/s/ Donald Thompson
Donald Thompson
President and Chief Executive Officer






Exhibit 31.2.
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
I, Peter J. Bensen, certify that:
(1)
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of McDonald’s Corporation;
(2)
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
(3)
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
(4)
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
(5)
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: May 6, 2014
/s/ Peter J. Bensen
Peter J. Bensen
Corporate Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer





Exhibit 32.1.
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 by the Chief Executive Officer, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), the undersigned officer of McDonald’s Corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 of the Company fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: May 6, 2014
/s/ Donald Thompson
Donald Thompson
President and Chief Executive Officer





Exhibit 32.2.
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 by the Chief Financial Officer, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), the undersigned officer of McDonald’s Corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 of the Company fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: May 6, 2014
/s/ Peter J. Bensen
Peter J. Bensen
Corporate Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer