McDonald's Corporation Announces Placement of RMB-Denominated Bonds

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Aug 19, 2010, 05:51 ET

OAK BROOK, Ill., HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- McDonald's Corporation announced today that it has placed Renminbi (RMB)-denominated bonds in a private placement to institutional and professional investors in Hong Kong. The aggregate principal amount of the bonds is RMB 200 million. The bonds will accrue interest at a rate of 3.00% per annum and mature in three years.

The funds will provide working capital to support the growth of McDonald's in China, including the opening of new restaurants.

Timothy Fenton, President of McDonald's APMEA (Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa) said that this announcement is another sign of the company's confidence in its long-term growth opportunities for China. "We are pleased and honored that McDonald's is set to become the first issuer of RMB-denominated bonds by a multinational company," said Fenton. "China is the fastest-growing market for McDonald's worldwide in terms of new restaurant openings."

Commenting on McDonald's operations in China, Kenneth Chan, CEO of McDonald's China, said, "We are excited and confident about our continued business growth in China." McDonald's plans to continue investing in China by opening new restaurants, reimaging existing restaurants and rolling out convenience initiatives. This year, McDonald's plans to open between 150-175 restaurants in China.

McDonald's has opened more than 1,100 stores in Mainland China since the first restaurant opened on October 8, 1990 in Shenzhen. Today, McDonald's has more than 60,000 employees in China.

McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 32,000 local restaurants in more than 100 countries. Over 80% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by franchisees. Please visit our website at www.aboutmcdonalds.com to learn more about the Company.

The bonds have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Act.

The bonds have not been and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. The arranger and lead manager in respect of the issue of the bonds has not issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, and will not issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the bonds, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the bonds which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release 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. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as its annual and quarterly reports and current reports on Form 8-K.

SOURCE McDonald's Corporation