McDonald's(R) Crew Person Amanda Wilson Named New Voice of Company's 'StationM' Crew Blog

OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwire - November 12, 2008) - Amanda Wilson is connecting thousands of McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) crew employees across North America in her new role as the resident blogger on StationM, McDonald's online crew community. In a fast-paced world where the Internet meets the quick service industry, StationM has proven to be a great success with more than 13,000 registered users who have embraced the opportunity to have their voices heard on this multilingual (English, French and Spanish) platform. StationM allows crew to comment and rate each post on the site's blog, upload pictures on the photo wall and have easy access to news and information about McDonald's.

"At McDonald's, we care about our employees and greatly value their input on how we operate our business and fit into their lives," said George Hradecky, StationM Program Manager. "StationM offers a forum for crew to share their views and communicate with each other in a way that is relevant to them. Through the site, we're also able to gather important feedback -- on such topics as training and career development, incentive programs and benefits -- to gain insight on their needs, which helps us become more responsive as a company."

"I love that McDonald's is offering us a place to chat and share our stories and experiences," said Wilson. "It makes us feel like we are part of a larger community than the ones that exist within each restaurant. I'm thrilled to have been chosen as the McDonald's restaurant representative for North America."

Wilson, a McDonald's restaurant manager in Canada, was recently selected by the company's restaurant employees through an online vote to be the site's resident blogger for the year. As one of its most active members since its launch, the distinction was bestowed upon the 20-year-old from Okotoks, Alberta, Canada who garnered the most support among her peers after submitting a video entry highlighting why she felt compelled to serve as moderator for this unique social network.

While she will remain a key contributor in her day-to-day responsibilities as restaurant manager, her new role includes sharing news about the McDonald's system, celebrating the achievements of restaurant staff, fielding questions related to different departments and functions within the company, sharing best practices with regards to customer service and soliciting crew input to foster a new level of engagement and strengthen the sense of community among employees.

Wilson recently returned from McDonald's home office in Oak Brook, Illinois where she started training for her role. During her visit, Wilson was given a tour of McDonald's test kitchen by the company's own Chef Daniel (Dan) Coudreaut, where she learned about ingredients, flavors and the process of creating menu items from concept to marketplace. She also toured McDonald's Innovation Center where she learned how menu items are tested and deployed throughout McDonald's restaurants around the world and she was given insight on some of the new technology and equipment McDonald's is looking at to further operational efficiencies, in their restaurants.

One of Wilson's first assignments is to interview McDonald's restaurant manager and mother of three, Crystal Hanson, who joined the company's Moms' Quality Correspondents program, a group of everyday moms who go behind the scenes to learn more about McDonald's menu items and share what they learn on www.mcdonaldsmoms.com. As she wrote in her blog after the interview, "This is just more proof that McDonald's excels in the fast-food industry and I for one am proud to call myself an employee."

About McDonald's

McDonald's USA, LLC is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. McDonald's is an equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce. For more information about opportunity at McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com/careers.

Contact Information: Contact Information: Danya Proud McDonald's USA 630.623.5063 danya.proud@us.mcd.com