McDonald's® Celebrates 50 Years of Limitless Opportunity
24,000 Sq. Ft. Restaurant Unveiled in Chicago at Golden Anniversary Celebration
''Started as Crew'' Leads to Career Opportunities Inside and Outside McDonald's

Chicago (April 15, 2005) – McDonald's Chief Executive Officer Jim Skinner led the company's 50th Anniversary celebration today at the unveiling of a spectacular 24,000 square foot restaurant in downtown Chicago that features 60-foot Golden Arches, seating for 300, a double-lane drive-thru, historic memorabilia and stunning views of Chicago's skyline.
The theme of the celebration is ''Opportunity at McDonald's,'' based on the company's long-time track record of providing limitless possibilities for its employees.

Opportunity Abounds

Twenty of McDonald's top 50 worldwide management began their careers in a McDonald's restaurant, including Skinner, whose first job was as a crewperson at a McDonald's in Davenport, Iowa in 1962. In the U.S. alone, more than 66,500 McDonald's managers -- 70% of all managers -- started as crew. In addition, about 1,200 of McDonald's U.S. restaurant owner/operators started in restaurants themselves; and more than half – 2,050 --of McDonald's corporate employees in the U.S. started as crew.

''McDonald's creates leaders both inside and outside McDonald's,'' said Skinner. ''Every person who gets their start at McDonald's learns lifetime skills such as teamwork, leadership, timeliness, focus and discipline and attention to detail. Ray Kroc founded McDonald's on the very premise of opportunity, a career ladder to becoming an entrepreneur and learning skills that serve for a lifetime -- the opportunity to go from the crew room all the way up to the Board Room.''

''We are proud of the success stories of past and present crew members from around the world and the important role their McDonald's experience has played in their lives,'' said Mike Roberts, President and Chief Operating Officer, McDonald's Corporation. ''Our employees, from crew to management, take advantage of the career opportunities McDonald's offers, such as the wealth of training, education, resources, and most importantly, a company that values the differences that makes every person unique.''

Last modified: Monday, 19 September 2005, 11:32 AM