McDonald's(R) USA Names Dean Foods 2011 U.S. Supplier of the Year

OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwire - Sep 29, 2011) - McDonald's USA recently announced that it has selected Dean Foods, a leading dairy supplier for many of McDonald's restaurants, as the 2011 U.S. Supplier of the Year. McDonald's revealed the U.S. Supplier of the Year Award at the recent U.S. Supplier Summit, an annual gathering of key U.S. McDonald's suppliers and distributors, held in Schaumburg, near its Oak Brook, Ill. headquarters.

As a trusted McDonald's supplier for many years, Dean Foods won the Supplier of the Year Award for implementing innovative products, initiating management programs, including playing a leading role in corporate quality assurance, and the development of long-term sustainability technologies. This is the first time Dean Foods has been honored as McDonald's Supplier of the Year.

"Dean Foods is a dedicated provider to the McDonald's brand and our franchisee community," said Dan Gorsky, Sr. Vice President, McDonald's North America Supply Chain. "Their continuous efforts to improve productivity and create alignment between our two businesses make Dean Foods one of our most valued suppliers."

"We are thankful to be recognized by McDonald's with this prestigious honor," said Kevin Yost, President of the Morningstar division of Dean Foods. "We're proud of our longstanding relationship with McDonald's and we will continue our efforts to surpass their expectations."

The McDonald's U.S. Supplier of the Year Award is presented annually to the food, paper or product supplier that makes the most significant impact on, and contribution to, McDonald's U.S. business results from the previous year. The award criteria include commitment to quality and food safety, product, equipment and process innovation, exemplary customer service and value.

About Dean Foods
Dean Foods is one of the leading food and beverage companies in the United States and a European leader in branded soy foods and beverages. The Company's Fresh Dairy Direct-Morningstar segment is the largest U.S. processor and distributor of milk, creamer and cultured dairy products. These offerings are marketed under more than 50 local and regional dairy brands, as well as through private labels. The WhiteWave-Alpro segment produces and sells an array of branded dairy, soy and plant-based beverages and foods. WhiteWave brands, including Silk® soy and almond milk, Horizon Organic® milk and dairy products, International Delight® coffee creamers and LAND O LAKES® creamers, are category leaders and consumer favorites. Alpro is the pan-European leader in branded soy food products.

About McDonald's
McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome food made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,000 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds (http://twitter.com/McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.

© 2011 McDonald's