McDonald's names U.S. Supplier of the Year

OAK BROOK, Ill. (March 25, 2008) - McDonald's USA recently announced it has awarded S&D Coffee, a supplier of Premium Roast Coffee and Iced Tea for McDonald's USA, recognition as the 2007 Supplier of the Year. McDonald's USA unveiled 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, held at its Oak Brook, Ill. headquarters.

"S&D Coffee has been a great supplier partner for 30 years and continues to bring tremendous benefit to the McDonald's system," said J.C. Gonzalez-Mendez, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, McDonald's North America. "Their expertise and insight combined with their energy and willingness to collaborate, has helped us to make great strides in our overall Coffee and U.S. beverage strategy. The introduction of our Premium Roast drip coffee, Iced Coffee and Sweet Iced Tea at McDonald's has been an instant success."

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 recognizes criteria including commitment to quality and food safety, product, equipment and process innovation and exemplary customer service and value.

"McDonald's USA is the leader in the quick service restaurant industry. Customers love McDonald's Premium Roast Coffee and Mickey D's Sweet Tea offerings." said Ron Hinson, S&D President and CEO. "I am honored that we have been recognized as their top supplier for 2007. We are also justifiably proud of our hard-working sales team that makes all this possible."

According to Bill Wolf, Sr. Vice President of S&D's national accounts, face-to-face interaction with McDonald's company employees, franchisees and restaurant managers and crew is a key factor in getting new products, like Sweet Iced Tea and Iced Coffee, into the hands of customers.

About S&D

Headquartered in Concord, N.C., privately owned by the Davis Family since its founding in 1927, S&D Coffee has grown from a small company to one of the largest Coffee Roasters in the United States. The company provides coffee, tea and juice to more than 70,000 commercial customers throughout the country through an extensive National Network. The firm is dedicated to quality and is ISO 9001:2000 Certified. For more information on S&D Coffee, please visit www.sndcoffee.com

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. For more information on McDonald's, visit www.mcdonalds.com.

CONTACT: Kristen Swift/ Walker Marketing, Inc./ 704-782-3244 x110/ OR Danya Proud/ McDonald's U.S. Media Relations/ 630-623-5063/ danya.proud@mcd.com