McDonalds 2018 Annual Report
McDonalds 2018 Annual Report
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
or
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
McDONALD’S CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 36-2361282
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
110 North Carpenter Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
McDONALD’S CORPORATION
INDEX
Page reference
Part I.
Item 1 Business 1
Item 1A Risk Factors and Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 3
Item 1B Unresolved Staff Comments 9
Item 2 Properties 9
Item 3 Legal Proceedings 9
Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures 10
Additional Item Executive Officers of the Registrant 11
Part II.
Item 5 Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 12
Item 6 Selected Financial Data 14
Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 15
Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 31
Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 31
Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 56
Item 9A Controls and Procedures 56
Item 9B Other Information 56
Part III.
Item 10 Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 56
Item 11 Executive Compensation 56
Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters 57
Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 58
Item 14 Principal Accounting Fees and Services 58
Part IV.
Item 15 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 58
Item 16 Form 10-K Summary 60
Signatures 61
Exhibits
All trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.
PART I
ITEM 1. Business
McDonald’s Corporation, the registrant, together with its subsidiaries, is referred to herein as the “Company.”
a. General
For the year ended December 31, 2018 , there were no material changes to the Company's corporate structure or in its method of conducting business. The
business was structured with segments that combine markets with similar characteristics and opportunities for growth. Significant reportable segments included
the United States ("U.S."), International Lead Markets and High Growth Markets. In addition, throughout this report we present the Foundational Markets &
Corporate segment, which includes markets in over 80 countries, as well as Corporate activities.
As detailed in the Company's Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on September 24, 2018, the Company announced
changes to its global operating structure, effective January 1, 2019. Refer to the Segment and Geographic Information section included in Part II, Item 8, page
49 of this Form 10-K for additional information.
b. Narrative description of business
▪ General
The Company operates and franchises McDonald’s restaurants, which serve a locally-relevant menu of quality food and beverages in more than 100 countries.
McDonald’s franchised restaurants are owned and operated under one of the following structures - conventional franchise, developmental license or affiliate.
The optimal ownership structure for an individual restaurant, trading area or market (country) is based on a variety of factors, including the availability of
individuals with the entrepreneurial experience and financial resources, as well as the local legal and regulatory environment in critical areas such as property
ownership and franchising. We continually review our mix of Company-owned and franchised restaurants to help optimize overall performance, with a goal to be
approximately 95% franchised over the long term. The business relationship between McDonald’s and its independent franchisees is supported by adhering to
standards and policies and is of fundamental importance to overall performance and to protecting the McDonald’s brand.
The Company is primarily a franchisor, with approximately 93% of McDonald's restaurants currently owned and operated by independent franchisees.
Franchising enables an individual to be his or her own employer and maintain control over all employment related matters, marketing and pricing decisions,
while also benefiting from the strength of McDonald’s global brand, operating system and financial resources.
Directly operating McDonald’s restaurants contributes significantly to our ability to act as a credible franchisor. One of the strengths of the franchising model
is that the expertise from operating Company-owned restaurants allows McDonald’s to improve the operations and success of all restaurants while innovations
from franchisees can be tested and, when viable, efficiently implemented across relevant restaurants. Having Company-owned and operated restaurants
provides Company personnel with a venue for restaurant operations training experience. In addition, in our Company-owned and operated restaurants, and in
collaboration with franchisees, we are able to further develop and refine operating standards, marketing concepts and product and pricing strategies that will
ultimately benefit McDonald’s restaurants.
Conventional Franchise
Under a conventional franchise arrangement, the Company generally owns the land and building or secures a long-term lease for the restaurant location
and the franchisee pays for equipment, signs, seating and décor. The Company believes that ownership of real estate, combined with the co-investment by
franchisees, enables us to achieve restaurant performance levels that are among the highest in the industry.
Franchisees are also responsible for reinvesting capital in their businesses over time. In addition, to accelerate implementation of certain initiatives, the
Company frequently co-invests with franchisees to fund improvements to their restaurants or their operating systems. These investments, developed in
collaboration with franchisees are designed to cater to consumer preferences, improve local business performance, and increase the value of our brand through
the development of modernized, more attractive and higher revenue generating restaurants.
The Company’s typical franchise term is 20 years. The Company requires franchisees to meet rigorous standards and generally does not work with passive
investors. The business relationship with franchisees is designed to facilitate consistency and high quality at all McDonald’s restaurants. Conventional
franchisees contribute to the Company’s revenue, primarily through the payment of rent and royalties based upon a percent of sales, with specified minimum
rent payments, along with initial fees paid upon the opening of a new restaurant or grant of a new franchise. This structure enables McDonald’s to generate
significant levels of cash flow.
Developmental License or Affiliate
Under a developmental license or affiliate arrangement, licensees are responsible for operating and managing the business, providing capital (including the
real estate interest) and developing and opening new restaurants. The Company generally does not invest any capital under a developmental license or affiliate
arrangement, and it receives a royalty based upon a percent of sales and generally will receive initial fees upon the opening of a new restaurant or grant of a
new term. While developmental license and affiliate arrangements are largely the same, affiliate arrangements are used in a limited number of foreign markets
where the Company also has an equity investment and records its share of net results in Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates.
▪ Supply chain, food safety, and quality assurance
The Company and its franchisees purchase food, packaging, equipment and other goods from numerous independent suppliers. The Company has established
and enforces high food safety and quality standards. The Company has quality centers around the world designed to promote consistency of its high standards.
The quality assurance process not only involves ongoing product reviews, but also
Independently owned and operated distribution centers, approved by the Company, distribute products and supplies to McDonald’s restaurants. In addition,
restaurant personnel are trained in the proper storage, handling and preparation of food for customers.
▪ Products
McDonald’s restaurants offer a substantially uniform menu, although there are geographic variations to suit local consumer preferences and tastes. In addition,
McDonald’s tests new products on an ongoing basis.
McDonald’s menu includes hamburgers and cheeseburgers, Big Mac, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Filet-O-Fish, several chicken sandwiches, Chicken
McNuggets, wraps, french fries, salads, oatmeal, shakes, McFlurry desserts, sundaes, soft serve cones, pies, soft drinks, coffee, McCafé beverages and other
beverages. In addition, the restaurants sell a variety of other products during limited-time promotions.
McDonald’s restaurants in the U.S. and many international markets offer a full or limited breakfast menu. Breakfast offerings may include Egg McMuffin,
Sausage McMuffin with Egg, McGriddles, biscuit and bagel sandwiches and hotcakes.
Quality, choice and nutrition are increasingly important to our customers and we are continuously evolving our menu to meet our customers' needs.
▪ Marketing
McDonald’s global brand is well known. Marketing, promotional and public relations activities are designed to promote McDonald’s brand and differentiate the
Company from competitors. Marketing and promotional efforts focus on value, quality, food taste, menu choice, nutrition, convenience and the customer
experience.
▪ Intellectual property
The Company owns or is licensed to use valuable intellectual property including trademarks, service marks, patents, copyrights, trade secrets and other
proprietary information. The Company considers the trademarks “McDonald’s” and “The Golden Arches Logo” to be of material importance to its business.
Depending on the jurisdiction, trademarks and service marks generally are valid as long as they are used and/or registered. Patents, copyrights and licenses are
of varying durations.
▪ Seasonal operations
The Company does not consider its operations to be seasonal to any material degree.
▪ Working capital practices
Information about the Company’s working capital practices is incorporated herein by reference to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 in Part II, Item 7, pages 15 through 31, and the Consolidated Statement of
Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 in Part II, Item 8, page 35 of this Form 10-K.
▪ Customers
The Company’s business is not dependent upon either a single customer or small group of customers.
▪ Backlog
Company-operated restaurants have no backlog orders.
▪ Government contracts
No material portion of the business is subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts or subcontracts at government election.
▪ Competition
McDonald’s restaurants compete with international, national, regional and local retailers of food products. The Company competes on the basis of price,
convenience, service, menu variety and product quality in a highly fragmented global restaurant industry.
In measuring the Company’s competitive position, management reviews data compiled by Euromonitor International, a leading source of market data with
respect to the global restaurant industry. The Company’s primary competition, which is referred to as the informal eating out ("IEO") segment, includes the
following restaurant categories defined by Euromonitor International: quick-service eating establishments, casual dining full-service restaurants, street stalls or
kiosks, cafés,100% home delivery/takeaway providers, specialist coffee shops, self-service cafeterias and juice/smoothie bars. The IEO segment excludes
establishments that primarily serve alcohol and full-service restaurants other than casual dining.
Based on data from Euromonitor International, the global IEO segment was composed of approximately 9 million outlets and generated $1.3 trillion in
annual sales in 2017 , the most recent year for which data is available. McDonald’s Systemwide 2017 restaurant business accounted for 0.4% of those outlets
and 7.1% of the sales.
Management also on occasion benchmarks McDonald’s against the entire restaurant industry, including the IEO segment defined above and all other full-
service restaurants. Based on data from Euromonitor International, the restaurant industry was composed of approximately 19 million outlets and generated $2.5
trillion in annual sales in 2017 . McDonald’s Systemwide restaurant business accounted for 0.2% of those outlets and 3.7% of the sales.
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors and Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this report includes forward-looking statements about future events and circumstances and their effects upon revenues, expenses and
business opportunities. Generally speaking, any statement in this report not based upon historical fact is a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking
statements can also be identified by the use of forward-looking words, such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate” and “plan” or similar expressions. In
particular, statements regarding our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations regarding our business and industry, including those under “Outlook,” are
forward-looking statements. They reflect our expectations, are not guarantees of performance and speak only as of the date of this report. Except as required by
law, we do not undertake to update them. Our expectations (or the underlying assumptions) may change or not be realized, and you should not rely unduly on
forward-looking statements. Our business results are subject to a variety of risks, including those that are reflected in the following considerations and factors, as
well as elsewhere in our filings with the SEC. If any of these considerations or risks materialize, our expectations may change and our performance may be
adversely affected.
If we do not successfully evolve and execute against our business strategies, including under the Velocity Growth Plan, we may not be able to
increase operating income.
To drive operating income growth, our business strategies must be effective in maintaining and strengthening customer appeal, delivering sustainable
guest count growth and driving a higher average check. Whether these strategies are successful depends mainly on our System’s ability to:
• Continue to innovate and differentiate the McDonald’s experience, including by preparing and serving our food in a way that balances value and
convenience to our customers with profitability;
• Capitalize on our global scale, iconic brand and local market presence to enhance our ability to retain, regain and convert key customer groups;
• Utilize our new organizational structure to build on our progress and execute against our business strategies;
• Augment our digital and delivery initiatives, including mobile ordering, along with Experience of the Future (“EOTF”), particularly in the U.S.;
• Identify and develop restaurant sites consistent with our plans for net growth of Systemwide restaurants;
ITEM 2. Properties
The Company owns and leases real estate primarily in connection with its restaurant business. The Company identifies and develops sites that offer
convenience to customers and long-term sales and profit potential to the System. To assess potential, the Company analyzes traffic and walking patterns,
census data and other relevant data. The Company’s experience and access to advanced technology aid in evaluating this information. The Company generally
owns the land and building or secures long-term leases for conventional franchised and Company-operated restaurant sites, which facilitates long-term
occupancy rights and helps control related costs. Restaurant profitability for both the Company and franchisees is important; therefore, ongoing efforts are made
to control average development costs through construction and design efficiencies, standardization and by leveraging the Company’s global sourcing network.
In addition, the Company owns and leases real estate in connection with its corporate headquarters and field offices.
Additional information about the Company’s properties is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations in Part II, Item 7, pages 15 through 31 and in Financial statements and supplementary data in Part II, Item 8, pages 31 through 52 of this Form 10-K.
ITEM 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
MARKET INFORMATION AND DIVIDEND POLICY
The Company’s common stock trades under the symbol MCD and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange in the U.S.
The number of shareholders of record and beneficial owners of the Company’s common stock as of January 31, 2019 was estimated to be 2,150,000 .
Given the Company’s returns on incremental invested capital and significant cash provided by operations, management believes it is prudent to reinvest in
the business in markets with acceptable returns and/or opportunity for long-term growth and use excess cash flow to return cash to shareholders through
dividends and share repurchases. The Company has paid dividends on common stock for 43 consecutive years through 2018 and has increased the dividend
amount at least once every year. As in the past, future dividend amounts will be considered after reviewing profitability expectations and financing needs, and
will be declared at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The following table presents information related to repurchases of common stock the Company made during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 *:
• International Operated Markets (IOM), comprised of wholly-owned markets, or countries in which the Company operates restaurants, including Australia,
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain and the U.K.
• International Developmental Licensed Markets (IDL), comprised primarily of developmental licensee and affiliate markets in the McDonald’s system.
Corporate activities will also be reported within this segment.
Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the U.K. may be collectively referred to as “the Big Five international markets” in the Company’s disclosures.
• Retaining existing customers - focusing on areas where it already has a strong foothold in the IEO category, including family occasions and food-led
breakfast.
• Regaining customers who visit less often - recommitting to areas of historic strength, namely food taste and quality, convenience and value.
• Converting casual to committed customers - building stronger relationships with customers so they visit more often, by elevating and leveraging the McCafé
coffee brand and enhancing snack and treat offerings.
In each pillar, McDonald’s has established sustainable platforms that enable execution of the Plan with greater speed, efficiency and impact while remaining
relentlessly focused on the fundamentals of running great restaurants. Additionally, through three identified growth accelerators - Experience of the Future
(“EOTF”), digital and delivery - McDonald’s is enhancing the overall customer experience with hospitable, friendly service and ever-improving convenience for
customers on their terms. The Company worked to aggressively deploy each of these accelerators in 2018 and will continue further implementation in 2019 and
beyond.
• Digital . As the Company continues its ambitious pace of converting restaurants to EOTF, it is placing renewed emphasis on improving its existing service
model (i.e., eat in, take out, or drive-thru) and strengthening its relationships with customers through technology. By evolving the technology platform, the
Company is redefining how we provide convenience to customers by expanding choices for how customers order, pay and are served through additional
functionality on its global mobile app, self-order kiosks, and technologies that enable conveniences such as table service and curb-side pick-up. In 2018, the
Company made further progress in rolling out digital platforms to improve convenience for our customers and provide a simpler and more personalized
experience. This included having kiosks deployed in nearly 17,000 restaurants, digital menu boards in more than 21,000 restaurants, and availability of
Mobile Order & Pay in over 22,000 restaurants. The popularity and utilization of self-order kiosks continues to grow over time, and in France, Italy and
Spain, well over half of all in-restaurant visits orders are placed through the kiosk. Germany made a strong push to grow digital engagement in 2018 through
digital calendar promotions, and saw success, driving sales and guest count growth, as well as increased app downloads. In 2019, the Company will
continue to utilize digital initiatives to engage customers, grow awareness and adoption of digital offerings, and support our menu offerings.
• Delivery . The Company continues to build momentum with its delivery platform as a way of expanding the convenience for its customers. In 2018,
McDonald’s expanded the number of restaurants offering delivery and it is now available in over half of the global system. Customers are responding
positively, as demonstrated by high satisfaction ratings, high reorder rates, and average checks that are 1.5-2 times higher than average non-delivery
transactions. In addition, many of our larger markets, such as the U.S., France and the U.K., have achieved delivery sales growth in the high double digits in
restaurants offering the service for more than 12 months. Further, in several of our top markets, delivery now represents as much as 10% of sales in those
restaurants offering delivery. While growing customer awareness remains a priority and focus in 2019, we have been effective in markets like Australia,
where awareness has more than doubled through a major campaign that promoted delivery with in-restaurant signs, engaging social media outreach, public
relations activity and advertising.
The Velocity Growth Plan is a global strategy that is tailored at a market level to allow for the best customer experience and most convenience for our
valued customers. While the Plan provides a consistent framework on how to retain, regain, and convert customers, the execution varies across the globe.
Markets continue to make progress on the three pillars of the Plan and its growth accelerators. The U.S., for example, remains diligently focused on driving
guest count growth in 2019 through actions that collectively transform the customer experience. In addition to continuing its aggressive execution of the growth
accelerators of EOTF, digital and delivery, the U.S. will also enhance the customer experience through strong restaurant execution, with a focus on the drive thru
experience, and reducing complexity in the restaurants. In 2018, several markets, including key markets outside of the U.S., experienced strong business
results, driven by the Velocity Growth Plan, and the markets will continue to hone their execution of the Plan in 2019, focusing on value, quality and
convenience.
Our Plan also includes the Company further embedding actions in response to certain social and environmental issues into the core of our business, which
we refer to as using our Scale for Good. As one of the world’s largest restaurant companies, our Scale for Good highlights our commitment to global priorities
that are consistent with our strategic priorities and provides an opportunity to collaborate with our franchisees and suppliers to drive meaningful progress. We
recognize that our success in advancing each of the pillars within our strategy will be demonstrated as customers continue to feel good about visiting
McDonald’s restaurants and eating our food.
While we're committed to working to address many challenges facing society today, we are elevating a few global priorities where we believe we can make
the greatest difference in driving industry-wide change. Our four global priorities reflect the social and environmental impacts of our food and our business and
are: beef sustainability, packaging and recycling, commitment to families and our investment in people. In 2018, the Company demonstrated its dedication to
these priorities, pledging commitments related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the use of antibiotics, sourcing sustainable packaging, and making a
difference for families through our food offerings, reading programs and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
The Company is confident that, with the Velocity Growth Plan in place, the System will work together in 2019 to focus on improving the taste of our delicious
food, enhancing convenience, offering compelling value and upholding the trust consumers place in our brand, which we believe will enhance our ability to
deliver long-term sustainable growth.
• Comparable sales in the U.S. increased 2.5% and comparable guest counts decreased 2.2%. The increase in comparable sales was driven by growth in
average check resulting from both product mix shifts and menu price increases.
• Comparable sales in the International Lead segment increased 5.8% and comparable guest counts increased 2.4%, reflecting positive results across all
markets.
• Comparable sales in the High Growth segment increased 4.1% and comparable guest counts increased 1.8%. This performance reflects positive results
across most of the segment, led by strong performance in Italy and the Netherlands.
• Comparable sales in the Foundational Markets increased 7.1% and comparable guest counts increased 1.5%, reflecting positive sales performance in
Japan and across all geographic regions.
In addition to improved comparable sales and consolidated guest count performance, the Company achieved the following financial results in 2018:
• Due to the impact of the Company's strategic refranchising initiative, consolidated revenues decreased 8% ( 8% in constant currencies).
• Systemwide sales increased 6% (6% in constant currencies).
• Consolidated operating income decreased 8% ( 8% in constant currencies). 2018 results included non-cash impairment and strategic restructuring
charges. 2017 results reflected a gain on the sale of the Company's businesses in China and Hong Kong, partly offset by restructuring and impairment
charges. Excluding these items in both years, consolidated operating income increased 2% (2% in constant currencies).
• Operating margin, defined as operating income as a percent of total revenues, increased from 41.9% in 2017 to 42.0% in 2018 . Excluding the items
described in the previous bullet point, operating margin increased from 38.8% in 2017 to 43.1% in 2018.
• Diluted earnings per share of $7.54 increased 18% ( 18% in constant currencies). Refer to the Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share section on
page 21 for additional details.
• Cash provided by operations was $6.97 billion .
• Capital expenditures of $2.74 billion were allocated mainly to reinvestment in existing restaurants and, to a lesser extent, to new restaurant openings.
• Free cash flow was $4.23 billion.
• Across the System, about 1,100 restaurants (including those in our developmental licensee and affiliated markets) were opened.
• One-year ROIIC was ( 80.4% ) and three-year ROIIC was 78.0% for the period ended December 31, 2018 . Excluding the gain from the sale of businesses
in China and Hong Kong, as well as significant investing cash inflows from strategic refranchising initiatives, one year and three year ROIIC were 10.2%
and 34.7%, respectively (see reconciliation in Exhibit 12).
• The Company increased its quarterly cash dividend per share by 15% to $1.16 for the fourth quarter, equivalent to an annual dividend of $4.64 per share.
• The Company returned $8.5 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends for the year and increased the cash return to shareholder
target for the 3-year period ending 2019 to about $25 billion.
OUTLOOK
2019 Outlook
The following information is provided to assist in forecasting the Company’s future results.
• Changes in Systemwide sales are driven by comparable sales, net restaurant unit expansion and the potential impacts of hyper-inflation. The Company
expects net restaurant additions to add approximately 1 percentage point to 2019 Systemwide sales growth (in constant currencies).
• The Company does not generally provide specific guidance on changes in comparable sales. However, as a perspective, assuming no change in cost
structure, a 1 percentage point change in comparable sales for either the U.S. or the new International Operated Markets segment would change annual
diluted earnings per share by about 6 to 7 cents.
• With about 75% of McDonald's grocery bill comprised of 10 different commodities, a basket of goods approach is the most comprehensive way to look at
the Company's commodity costs. For the full year 2019, costs for the total basket of goods are expected to increase about 1% to 2% in the U.S. and about
2% in the Big Five international markets.
• The Company expects full year 2019 selling, general and administrative expenses to decrease about 4% in constant currencies.
Long-Term Outlook
• Over the long-term, the Company expects to achieve the following average annual (constant currency) financial targets:
◦ Systemwide sales growth of 3% to 5%;
◦ Operating margin in the mid-40% range;
◦ Earnings per share growth in the high-single digits; and
◦ Return on incremental invested capital in the mid-20% range.
Currency translation
Reported amount benefit/(cost)
In millions, except per share data 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016
Revenues $ 21,025 $ 22,820 $ 24,622 $ 123 $ 186 $ (692)
Company-operated margins 1,747 2,309 2,596 4 17 (89)
Franchised margins 9,039 8,312 7,609 57 25 (118)
Selling, general & administrative expenses 2,200 2,231 2,384 (13) (10) 28
Operating income 8,823 9,553 7,745 56 28 (173)
Net income 5,924 5,192 4,686 33 2 (97)
Earnings per common share—diluted 7.54 6.37 5.44 0.04 — (0.11)
REVENUES
The Company’s revenues consist of sales by Company-operated restaurants and fees from restaurants operated by franchisees. Revenues from conventional
franchised restaurants include rent and royalties based on a percent of sales, minimum rent payments and initial fees. Revenues from franchised restaurants
that are licensed to foreign affiliates and developmental licensees include a royalty based on a percent of sales, and generally include initial fees.
The Company has continually reviewed its mix of Company-owned and franchised restaurants to help optimize overall performance, with a goal to be
approximately 95% franchised over the long term. Franchised restaurants represent approximately 93% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide at December 31,
2018. Although refranchising allows the Company to generate more stable and predictable revenue and cash flow streams while operating with a less resource-
intensive structure, the shift to a greater percentage of franchised restaurants negatively impacts consolidated revenues as Company-operated sales are
replaced by franchised revenues, where the Company receives rent and/or royalty revenue based on a percentage of sales.
Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the guidance issued in Accounting Standards Codification 606, "Revenue Recognition - Revenue from
Contracts with Customers." This standard changed the way initial fees from franchisees for new restaurant openings and new franchise terms are recognized.
Under the new guidance, initial franchise fees are being recognized evenly over the franchise term rather than immediately upon receipt. Revenues for 2018
reflected a negative impact of approximately $42 million as a result of this new guidance.
In 2018 , revenues decreased 8% ( 8% in constant currencies) and in 2017 , revenues decreased 7% (8% in constant currencies). For both periods, the
decreases in revenues were due to the Company's strategic refranchising initiatives, partly offset by positive comparable sales.
• U.S.: In 2018 and 2017 , the decrease in revenues reflected the benefit from positive comparable sales that was more than offset by the impact of
refranchising.
• International Lead Markets: In 2018 and 2017 , the increase in revenues was due to positive comparable sales across all markets, partly offset by the
impact of refranchising.
• High Growth Markets: In 2018 and 2017 , the decrease in revenues reflected positive comparable sales across most markets that were more than offset
by the impact of refranchising the Company's businesses in China and Hong Kong in 2017.
The following tables present comparable sales, comparable guest counts and Systemwide sales increases/(decreases) :
Franchised sales
Increase/(decrease)
excluding currency
Amount Increase/(decrease) translation
Dollars in millions 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
U.S. $ 35,860 $ 34,379 $ 32,646 4% 5% 4% 5%
International Lead Markets 20,972 18,820 17,049 11 10 9 9
High Growth Markets * 9,725 6,888 4,858 41 42 38 39
Foundational Markets & Corporate 19,577 18,104 15,154 8 19 11 24
Total $ 86,134 $ 78,191 $ 69,707 10% 12% 10% 13%
Ownership type
Conventional franchised $ 63,251 $ 59,151 $ 56,035 7% 6% 6% 5%
Developmental licensed 13,519 12,546 9,082 8 38 13 44
Foreign affiliated * 9,364 6,494 4,590 44 41 42 44
Total $ 86,134 $ 78,191 $ 69,707 10% 12% 10% 13%
* Reflects the impact of refranchising the Company's businesses in China and Hong Kong in the third quarter of 2017.
FRANCHISED MARGINS
Franchised margin dollars represent revenues from franchised restaurants less the Company’s costs associated with those restaurants, primarily occupancy
costs (rent and depreciation). Franchised margin dollars represented about 85% of the combined restaurant margins in 2018 , about 80% in 2017 , and about
75% in 2016.
In 2018 , franchised margin dollars increased $727 million or 9% ( 8% in constant currencies). In 2017 , franchised margin dollars increased $703 million or
9% ( 9% in constant currencies). For both 2018 and 2017, the constant currency increases were due to positive comparable sales performance across all
segments, refranchising and expansion.
Franchised margins
Increase/(decrease)
% of % of % of excluding currency
Amount Revenue Amount Revenue Amount Revenue Increase/(decrease) translation
Dollars in millions 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
U.S. $ 4,070 81.4% $ 3,913 82.4% $ 3,726 82.6% 4% 5% 4% 5%
International Lead Markets 2,952 81.1 2,634 80.8 2,363 80.2 12 11 10 10
High Growth Markets 867 76.0 693 73.6 550 70.2 25 26 22 24
Foundational Markets &
Corporate 1,150 93.3 1,072 92.9 970 89.1 7 10 9 12
Total $ 9,039 82.1% $ 8,312 82.3% $ 7,609 81.6% 9% 9% 8% 9%
• U.S.: In 2018 and 2017, the decreases in the franchised margin percents were primarily due to higher depreciation costs related to investments in EOTF,
partly offset by positive comparable sales.
• International Lead Markets: In 2018 and 2017, the increases in the franchised margin percent primarily reflected the benefit from positive comparable
sales performance, partly offset by the impact of refranchising and higher occupancy costs.
• High Growth Markets: In 2018 and 2017, the increases in the franchised margin percents were primarily due to the impact of refranchising, mainly related
to the sale of the Company's businesses in China and Hong Kong in 2017, as well as strong comparable sales performance.
The franchised margin percent in Foundational Markets & Corporate is higher relative to the other segments due to a larger proportion of developmental
licensed and affiliated restaurants where the Company receives royalty income with no corresponding occupancy costs.
Increase/(decrease)
% of % of % of excluding currency
Amount Revenue Amount Revenue Amount Revenue Increase/(decrease) translation
Dollars in millions 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
U.S. $ 397 14.9% $ 523 16.0% $ 618 16.5% (24%) (15%) (24%) (15%)
International Lead Markets 848 21.4 861 21.1 886 20.7 (2) (3) (3) (3)
High Growth Markets 394 13.8 781 17.0 796 14.8 (50) (2) (48) (4)
Foundational Markets &
Corporate 108 20.1 144 18.3 296 15.6 (25) (51) (25) (53)
Total $ 1,747 17.4% $ 2,309 18.2% $ 2,596 17.0% (24%) (11%) (25%) (12%)
• U.S.: In 2018 and 2017 , the Company-operated margin percent decreased as the benefits of positive comparable sales and refranchising were more than
offset by the impact of EOTF (primarily additional depreciation expense in 2017 and both labor productivity and depreciation expense in 2018), as well as
higher labor and commodity costs.
• International Lead Markets: In 2018 and 2017 , the increases in the Company-operated margin percents were primarily due to positive comparable sales
partly offset by higher labor, commodity and occupancy costs.
• High Growth Markets: In 2018 , the decrease in the Company-operated margin percent was primarily due to the impact of refranchising, mainly related to
the sale of the Company's businesses in China and Hong Kong, and higher labor costs, partly offset by positive comparable sales performance. In 2017 ,
the increase was primarily due to strong comparable sales and the benefit of lower depreciation in China and Hong Kong (due to held for sale accounting
treatment). This increase was partly offset by negative comparable sales in South Korea and the impact of refranchising.
Increase/(decrease)
excluding currency
Amount Increase/(decrease) translation
Dollars in millions 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
U.S. $ 591 $ 624 $ 741 (5%) (16%) (5%) (16%)
International Lead Markets 445 451 464 (1) (3) (3) (4)
High Growth Markets 174 248 294 (30) (16) (31) (17)
Foundational Markets & Corporate (1) 990 908 885 9 3 9 2
Total Selling, General & Administrative Expenses $ 2,200 $ 2,231 $ 2,384 (1%) (6%) (2%) (7%)
Less: Incentive-Based Compensation (2) 284 336 418 (16%) (20%) (16%) (20%)
(4)
Total Excluding Incentive-Based Compensation $ 1,916 $ 1,895 $ 1,966 1% (4%) 1% (3) (4%)
(1) Included in Foundational Markets & Corporate are home office support costs in areas such as facilities, finance, human resources, information technology, legal, marketing, restaurant
operations, supply chain and training.
(2) Includes all cash incentives and share-based compensation expense.
(3) Excludes $12.2 million of foreign currency cost.
(4) Excludes $9.4 million of foreign currency cost.
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of Systemwide sales was 2.3% in 2018 , 2.5% in 2017 and 2.8% in 2016 . Management believes
that analyzing selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of Systemwide sales is meaningful because these costs are incurred to support the
overall McDonald's business.
Operating income
Increase/(decrease)
excluding currency
Amount Increase/(decrease) translation
Dollars in millions 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
U.S. $ 4,016 $ 4,023 $ 3,769 0% 7% 0% 7%
International Lead Markets 3,486 3,167 2,838 10 12 8 11
High Growth Markets 1,001 2,001 1,049 (50) 91 (51) 89
Foundational Markets & Corporate 320 362 89 (12) n/m (6) n/m
Total $ 8,823 $ 9,553 $ 7,745 (8%) 23% (8%) 23%
n/m Not meaningful
• U.S.: 2018 and 2017 operating income reflected higher franchised margin dollars and lower G&A costs, partly offset by lower Company-operated margin
dollars. 2018 results also reflected the $85 million strategic restructuring charge. Excluding this charge, operating income for 2018 increased 2%.
• International Lead Markets: In 2018 and 2017, the constant currency operating income increase was primarily due to sales-driven improvements in
franchised margin dollars across all markets. 2018 results also reflected higher gains on sales of restaurant businesses in the U.K. and Australia, while 2017
benefited from a property disposition gain in Australia.
• High Growth Markets: Results for 2018 and 2017 reflected impairment charges while 2017 also reflected a gain on the sale of the Company's businesses
in China and Hong Kong. Excluding these items, 2018 operating income decreased 10% (11% in constant currencies) due to the impact of refranchising in
China and Hong Kong, and 2017 operating income increased 17% (15% in constant currencies) due to higher sales-driven franchised margin dollar
performance, the impact of refranchising and G&A savings, as well as benefiting from lower depreciation expense in China and Hong Kong.
• Foundational Markets and Corporate: In 2018 and 2017, results reflected higher G&A costs in Corporate, mainly due to investments in restaurant
technology. 2017 results also included the benefit of the reversal of a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset in Japan.
• Operating margin: Operating margin was 42.0% in 2018 , 41.9% in 2017 and 31.5% in 2016 . Excluding the previously described impairment and
restructuring charges, as well as the 2017 refranchising gain, operating margin was 43.1%, 38.8% and 32.8% for the years ended 2018, 2017 and 2016,
respectively.
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense increased 7% and 4% in 2018 and 2017 , respectively, primarily reflecting higher average debt balances, partly offset by lower average interest
rates.
Foreign currency and hedging activity includes net gains or losses on certain hedges that reduce the exposure to variability on certain intercompany foreign
currency cash flow streams.
Cash Flows
The Company generates significant cash from its operations and has substantial credit availability and capacity to fund operating and discretionary spending
such as capital expenditures, debt repayments, dividends and share repurchases.
Cash provided by operations totaled $7.0 billion and free cash flow was $4.2 billion in 2018, an increase in free cash flow of $528 million or 14% compared
with 2017. Cash provided by operations totaled $5.6 billion and free cash flow was $3.7 billion in 2017. The Company's free cash flow conversion rate was 71%
in 2018 and 2017 (see reconciliation in Exhibit 12). In 2018, cash provided by operations increased by $1.4 billion or 25% compared with 2017, primarily due to
lower tax payments. In 2017, cash provided by operations decreased by $508 million or 8% compared with 2016, as improved operating results were more than
offset by higher income tax payments in the U.S. and other working capital changes.
Cash used for investing activities totaled $2.5 billion in 2018, an increase of $3 billion compared with 2017. The increase was primarily due to lower
proceeds from the sale of restaurant businesses in 2018, as well as higher capital expenditures. Cash provided by investing activities totaled $562 million in
2017, an increase of $1.5 billion compared with 2016. The increase was primarily due to proceeds associated with the sale of the Company's businesses in
China and Hong Kong.
Cash used for financing activities totaled $5.9 billion in 2018, an increase of $639 million compared with 2017, primarily due to higher treasury stock
purchases. Cash used for financing activities totaled $5.3 billion in 2017, a decrease of $6 billion compared with 2016, primarily due to lower treasury stock
purchases, partly offset by a decrease in net borrowings.
The Company’s cash and equivalents balance was $866 million and $2.5 billion at year end 2018 and 2017, respectively. In addition to cash and
equivalents on hand and cash provided by operations, the Company can meet short-term funding needs through its continued access to commercial paper
borrowings and line of credit agreements .
New restaurant investments in all years were concentrated in markets with strong returns and/or opportunities for long-term growth. Average development
costs vary widely by market depending on the types of restaurants built and the real estate and construction costs within each market. These costs, which
include land, buildings and equipment, are managed through the use of optimally-sized restaurants, construction and design efficiencies, as well as leveraging
the Company's global sourcing network and best practices. Although the Company is not responsible for all costs for every restaurant opened, total development
costs for new traditional McDonald’s restaurants in the U.S. averaged approximately $3.8 million in 2018 .
The Company owned approximately 50% of the land and approximately 80% of the buildings for restaurants in its consolidated markets at year-end 2018
and 2017.
SHARE REPURCHASES AND DIVIDENDS
In 2018, the Company returned approximately $8.5 billion to shareholders through a combination of shares repurchased and dividends paid. This brings the
cumulative two-year return to shareholders to $16.2 billion toward our targeted return of about $25 billion for the three-year period ending 2019.
Shares repurchased and dividends
Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s currently rate, with a stable outlook, the Company’s commercial paper A-2 and P-2, respectively; and its long-term debt
BBB+ and Baa1, respectively. To access the debt capital markets, the Company relies on credit-rating agencies to assign short-term and long-term credit
ratings.
Certain of the Company’s debt obligations contain cross-acceleration provisions and restrictions on Company and subsidiary mortgages and the long-term
debt of certain subsidiaries. There are no provisions in the Company’s debt obligations that would accelerate repayment of debt as a result of a change in credit
ratings or a material adverse change in the Company’s business. Under existing authorization from the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company has $15.0
billion of authority to borrow funds, of which $6.5 billion remains outstanding as of December 31, 2018. These borrowings may include (i) public or private
offering of debt securities; (ii) direct borrowing from banks or other financial institutions; and (iii) other forms of indebtedness. In addition to debt securities
available through a medium-term notes program registered with the SEC and a Global Medium-Term Notes program, the Company has $3.5 billion available
under a committed line of credit agreement as well as authority to issue commercial paper in the U.S. and global markets (see Debt Financing note to the
consolidated financial statements). In 2019, the Company plans to issue long-term debt to refinance $2.1 billion of maturing corporate debt. As of December 31,
2018 , the Company's subsidiaries also had $254 million of borrowings outstanding, primarily under uncommitted foreign currency line of credit agreements.
The Company uses major capital markets, bank financings and derivatives to meet its financing requirements. The Company manages its debt portfolio in
response to changes in interest rates and foreign currency rates by periodically retiring, redeeming and repurchasing debt, terminating swaps and using
derivatives. The Company does not hold or issue derivatives for trading purposes. All swaps are over-the-counter instruments.
In managing the impact of interest rate changes and foreign currency fluctuations, the Company uses interest rate swaps and finances in the currencies in
which assets are denominated. The Company uses foreign currency debt and derivatives to hedge the foreign currency risk associated with certain royalties,
intercompany financings and long-term investments in foreign subsidiaries and affiliates. This reduces the impact of fluctuating foreign currencies on cash flows
and shareholders’ equity. Total foreign currency-denominated debt was $11.8 billion and $12.4 billion for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017,
respectively. In addition, where practical, the Company’s restaurants purchase goods and services in local currencies resulting in natural hedges. See the
Summary of significant accounting policies note to the consolidated financial statements related to financial instruments and hedging activities for additional
information regarding the accounting impact and use of derivatives.
The Company does not have significant exposure to any individual counterparty and has master agreements that contain netting arrangements. Certain of
these agreements also require each party to post collateral if credit ratings fall below, or aggregate exposures exceed, certain contractual limits. At
December 31, 2018 , the Company was required to post an immaterial amount of collateral due to negative fair value of certain derivative positions. The
Company's counterparties were not required to post collateral on any derivative position, other than on hedges of certain of the Company’s supplemental benefit
plan liabilities where the counterparties were required to post collateral on their liability positions.
The Company’s net asset exposure is diversified among a broad basket of currencies. The Company’s largest net asset exposures (defined as foreign
currency assets less foreign currency liabilities) at year end were as follows:
The Company prepared sensitivity analyses of its financial instruments to determine the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates and foreign
currency exchange rates on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and the fair value of its financial instruments. The interest rate analysis assumed a
one percentage point adverse change in interest rates on all financial instruments, but did not consider the effects of the reduced level of economic activity that
could exist in such an environment. The foreign currency rate analysis assumed that
In the U.S., the Company maintains certain supplemental benefit plans that allow participants to (i) make tax-deferred contributions and (ii) receive
Company-provided allocations that cannot be made under the qualified benefit plans because of Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") limitations. At December 31,
2018 , total liabilities for the supplemental plans were $437 million .
At December 31, 2018, total liabilities for gross unrecognized tax benefits were $1.3 billion . In addition, a liability of approximately $757 million remains
resulting from the Tax Act, which imposed a deemed repatriation tax on the Company’s undistributed foreign earnings. This additional tax liability will be paid
over the next eight years. Refer to the Income Taxes footnote on page 45 for additional information.
There are certain purchase commitments that are not recognized in the consolidated financial statements and are primarily related to construction,
inventory, energy, marketing and other service related arrangements that occur in the normal course of business. Such commitments are generally shorter term
in nature, will be funded from operating cash flows, and are not significant to the Company’s overall financial position.
Other Matters
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which
have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. The preparation of these financial statements requires the
Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as well as related disclosures. On an
ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and judgments based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable
under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
In millions, except per share data Years ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016
REVENUES
Sales by Company-operated restaurants $ 10,012.7 $ 12,718.9 $ 15,295.0
Revenues from franchised restaurants 11,012.5 10,101.5 9,326.9
Total revenues 21,025.2 22,820.4 24,621.9
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Company-operated restaurant expenses
Food & paper 3,153.8 4,033.5 4,896.9
Payroll & employee benefits 2,937.9 3,528.5 4,134.2
Occupancy & other operating expenses 2,174.2 2,847.6 3,667.7
Franchised restaurants-occupancy expenses 1,973.3 1,790.0 1,718.4
Selling, general & administrative expenses 2,200.2 2,231.3 2,384.5
Other operating (income) expense, net (236.8) (1,163.2) 75.7
Total operating costs and expenses 12,202.6 13,267.7 16,877.4
Operating income 8,822.6 9,552.7 7,744.5
Interest expense-net of capitalized interest of $5.6, $5.3 and $7.1 981.2 921.3 884.8
Nonoperating (income) expense, net 25.3 57.9 (6.3)
Income before provision for income taxes 7,816.1 8,573.5 6,866.0
Provision for income taxes 1,891.8 3,381.2 2,179.5
Net income $ 5,924.3 $ 5,192.3 $ 4,686.5
Earnings per common share–basic $ 7.61 $ 6.43 $ 5.49
Earnings per common share–diluted $ 7.54 $ 6.37 $ 5.44
Dividends declared per common share $ 4.19 $ 3.83 $ 3.61
Weighted-average shares outstanding–basic 778.2 807.4 854.4
Weighted-average shares outstanding–diluted 785.6 815.5 861.2
See Notes to consolidated financial statements.
(2) Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory." Refer to the Income Tax footnote on
page 45 for further details.
The results of operations of restaurant businesses purchased and sold in transactions with franchisees were not material either individually or in the
aggregate to the consolidated financial statements for periods prior to purchase and sale.
CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Investments in affiliates owned 50% or less (primarily
McDonald’s China and Japan) are accounted for by the equity method.
On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its business relationships such as those with franchisees, joint venture partners, developmental licensees,
suppliers and advertising cooperatives to identify potential variable interest entities. Generally, these businesses qualify for a scope exception under the variable
interest entity consolidation guidance. The Company has concluded that consolidation of any such entity is not appropriate for the periods presented.
ESTIMATES IN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Income Taxes
In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-02, "Reclassification of Certain Tax
Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI")." The guidance permits entities to reclassify the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act
from AOCI to retained earnings. ASU 2018-02 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual
reporting periods. ASU 2018-02 may be applied in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change related to the Tax Act
was recognized. The Company has adopted the provisions of ASU 2018-02 as of January 1, 2019, and plans to not make an election to reclassify the income
tax effects of the Tax Act from AOCI to retained earnings.
Lease Accounting
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease
assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Most prominent among the amendments is the
recognition of assets and liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under current U.S. GAAP. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.
As discussed further in the “Franchise Arrangements” and “Leasing Arrangements” footnotes, the Company is engaged in a significant amount of leasing
activity, both from a lessee and a lessor perspective. As required by the standard, the Company has adopted the provisions of the new standard effective
January 1, 2019, using the required modified retrospective approach.
The Company has elected the package of practical expedients, which allows the Company to retain the classification of existing leases; therefore, there will
be minimal initial impact on the Consolidated Statement of Income. Moving forward, as the Company enters into new leases or as leases are modified, the
expectation is that many of the Company's ground leases may be reclassified from operating classification to financing classification, which will change the
timing and classification of a portion of lease expense between operating income and interest expense. It is not possible to quantify the impact at this time, due
to the unknown timing of new leases and lease modifications, however the Company does not expect the impact to be material to any given year.
ASU 2016-02 will have a material impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheet due to the significance of the Company’s operating lease portfolio. The
Company estimates adoption of the new standard will result in a Right of Use Asset and Lease Liability in the range of approximately $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion
. At transition, the Right of Use Asset and Lease Liability reflect a present value of the Company's current minimum lease payments over a lease term, which
may include options that are reasonably assured of being exercised, discounted using a collateralized incremental borrowing rate. The impact of ASU 2016-02 is
non-cash in nature, therefore, it will not affect the Company’s cash flows. The Company has also made an accounting policy election to keep leases with an
initial term of 12 months or less off the balance sheet. It will continue to recognize those lease payments in the Consolidated Statement of Income on a straight-
line basis over the lease term.
The following table presents revenue disaggregated by revenue source (in millions):
Compensation expense related to share-based awards is generally amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period in Selling, general &
administrative expenses. As of December 31, 2018, there was $114.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based
compensation that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.
The fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of grant using a closed-form pricing model. The following table presents the weighted-
average assumptions used in the option pricing model for the 2018 , 2017 and 2016 stock option grants. The expected life of the options represents the period of
time the options are expected to be outstanding and is based on historical trends. Expected stock price volatility is generally based on the historical volatility of
the Company’s stock for a period approximating the expected life. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s most recent annual dividend rate.
The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant with a term equal to the expected life.
Weighted-average assumptions
The fair value of each RSU granted is equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at date of grant, and prior to 2018 included a reduction for the
present value of expected dividends over the vesting period. For performance-based RSUs granted beginning in 2016, the Company includes a relative TSR
modifier to determine the number of shares earned at the end of the performance period. The fair value of performance-based RSUs that include the TSR
modifier is determined using a Monte Carlo valuation model.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost, with depreciation and amortization provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
buildings–up to 40 years; leasehold improvements– the lesser of useful lives of assets or lease terms , which generally include certain option periods; and
equipment– 3 to 12 years.
LONG-LIVED ASSETS
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment annually in the fourth quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount
of an asset may not be recoverable. For purposes of annually reviewing McDonald’s restaurant assets for potential impairment, assets are initially grouped
together in the U.S. at a field office level, and internationally, at a market level. The Company manages its restaurants as a group or portfolio with significant
common costs and promotional activities; as such, an individual restaurant’s cash flows are not generally independent of the cash flows of others in a market. If
an indicator of impairment exists for any grouping of assets, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows produced by each individual restaurant within the
asset grouping is compared to its carrying value. If an individual restaurant is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying
amount of the restaurant over its fair value as determined by an estimate of discounted future cash flows.
Losses on assets held for disposal are recognized when management and the Board of Directors, as required, have approved and committed to a plan to
dispose of the assets, the assets are available for disposal and the disposal is probable of occurring within 12 months, and the net sales proceeds are expected
to be less than its net book value, among other factors. Generally, such losses are related to restaurants that have closed and ceased operations as well as
other assets that meet the criteria to be considered “available for sale."
GOODWILL
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets of acquired restaurant businesses. The Company's goodwill
primarily results from purchases of McDonald's restaurants from franchisees and ownership increases in subsidiaries or affiliates, and it is generally assigned to
the reporting unit (defined as each individual market) expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. If a Company-operated restaurant is sold within
24 months of acquisition, the goodwill associated with the acquisition is written off in its entirety. If a restaurant is sold beyond 24 months from the acquisition,
the amount of goodwill written off is based on the relative fair value of the business sold compared to the reporting unit.
The Company conducts goodwill impairment testing in the fourth quarter of each year or whenever an indicator of impairment exists. If an indicator of
impairment exists (e.g., estimated earnings multiple value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value), the goodwill impairment test compares the fair value
of a reporting unit, generally based on discounted future cash flows, with its carrying amount including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit
exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is measured as the difference between the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill and the carrying amount of
goodwill. Historically, goodwill impairment has not significantly impacted the consolidated financial statements. Accumulated goodwill impairment losses on the
Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $15.6 million and $14.5 million , respectively.
The following table presents the pre-tax amounts from derivative instruments affecting income and AOCI for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017,
respectively:
Undesignated Derivatives
The Company enters into certain derivatives that are not designated for hedge accounting, therefore the changes in the fair value of these derivatives are
recognized immediately in earnings together with the gain or loss from the hedged balance sheet position. As an example, the Company enters into equity
derivative contracts, including total return swaps, to hedge market-driven changes in certain of its supplemental benefit plan liabilities. Changes in the fair value
of these derivatives are recorded in Selling, general & administrative expenses together with the changes in the supplemental benefit plan liabilities. In addition,
the Company uses foreign currency forwards to mitigate the change in fair value of certain foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. The changes in
the fair value of these derivatives are recognized in Nonoperating (income) expense, net, along with the currency gain or loss from the hedged balance sheet
position.
Credit Risk
The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by its derivative counterparties. The Company did not have significant
exposure to any individual counterparty at December 31, 2018 and has master agreements that contain netting arrangements. For financial reporting purposes,
the Company presents gross derivative balances in the financial statements and supplementary data, including for counterparties subject to netting
arrangements. Some of these agreements also require each party to post collateral if credit ratings fall below, or aggregate exposures exceed, certain
contractual limits. At December 31, 2018 , the Company was required to post an immaterial amount of collateral due to the negative fair value of certain
derivative positions. The Company's counterparties were not required to post collateral on any derivative position, other than on certain hedges of the
Company’s supplemental benefit plan liabilities where the counterparties were required to post collateral on their liability positions.
INCOME TAXES
Income Tax Uncertainties
The Company, like other multi-national companies, is regularly audited by federal, state and foreign tax authorities, and tax assessments may arise several
years after tax returns have been filed. Accordingly, tax liabilities are recorded when, in management’s judgment, a tax position does not meet the more likely
than not threshold for recognition. For tax positions that meet the more likely than not threshold, a tax liability may still be recorded depending on management’s
assessment of how the tax position will ultimately be settled.
The Company records interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.
Accounting for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income ("GILTI")
The Tax Act requires a U.S. shareholder of a foreign corporation to include GILTI in taxable income. The accounting policy of the Company is to record any tax
on GILTI in the provision for income taxes in the year it is incurred.
Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment was (in millions): 2018 – $1,302.9 ; 2017 – $1,227.5 ; 2016 – $1,390.7 .
▪ Gains on sales of restaurant businesses
The Company’s purchases and sales of businesses with its franchisees are aimed at achieving an optimal ownership mix in each market. Resulting gains or
losses on sales of restaurant businesses are recorded in operating income because these transactions are a recurring part of our business.
▪ Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
Unconsolidated affiliates and partnerships are businesses in which the Company actively participates but does not control. The Company records equity in
(earnings) losses from these entities representing McDonald’s share of results. For foreign affiliated markets—primarily China and Japan—results are reported
after interest expense and income taxes.
▪ Asset dispositions and other (income) expense, net
Asset dispositions and other (income) expense, net consists of gains or losses on excess property and other asset dispositions, provisions for restaurant
closings and uncollectible receivables, asset write-offs due to restaurant reinvestment (including investment in EOTF), and other miscellaneous income and
expenses.
▪ Impairment and other charges (gains), net
Impairment and other charges (gains), net includes the losses that result from the write down of goodwill and long-lived assets from their carrying value to their
fair value. Charges associated with strategic initiatives, such as refranchising and restructuring activities are also included. In addition, as the Company
continues to make progress toward its long-term global refranchising goals, the realized gains/losses from the sale of McDonald's businesses in certain markets
are reflected in this category, including the 2017 gain on the sale of the Company's businesses in China and Hong Kong.
Franchise Arrangements
Conventional franchise arrangements generally include a lease and a license and provide for payment of initial fees, as well as continuing rent and royalties to
the Company based upon a percent of sales with minimum rent payments. Minimum rent payments are based on the Company's underlying investment in
owned sites and parallel the Company’s underlying leases and escalations on properties that are leased. Under the franchise arrangement, franchisees are
granted the right to operate a restaurant using the McDonald’s System and, in most cases, the use of a restaurant facility, generally for a period of 20 years .
These franchisees pay related occupancy costs including property taxes, insurance and site maintenance. Developmental licensees and affiliates operating
under license agreements pay a royalty to the Company based upon a percent of sales, and may pay initial fees.
Revenues from franchised restaurants consisted of:
Future gross minimum rent payments due to the Company under existing conventional franchise arrangements are:
At December 31, 2018 , net property and equipment under franchise arrangements totaled $17.8 billion (including land of $4.9 billion ) after deducting
accumulated depreciation and amortization of $10.4 billion .
Rent expense included percent rents in excess of minimum rents (in millions) as follows–Company-operated restaurants: 2018 – $82.1 ; 2017 – $115.6 ;
2016 – $135.0 . Franchised restaurants: 2018 – $200.8 ; 2017 – $204.9 ; 2016 – $186.4 .
Future minimum payments required under existing operating leases with initial terms of one year or more are:
Income Taxes
Income before provision for income taxes, classified by source of income, was as follows:
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.” The goal of this update
was to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The Company adopted this standard on
January 1, 2018 using a modified retrospective method, resulting in a cumulative catch up adjustment of $57 million, the majority of which was recorded within
Miscellaneous other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated statements of
income and cash flows.
The Tax Act was enacted in the U.S. on December 22, 2017. The Tax Act reduced the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate to 21% from 35% and
required companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred. In 2017, the Company recorded
provisional amounts for certain enactment-date effects of the Tax Act by applying the guidance in SAB 118 because the Company had not yet completed its
enactment-date accounting for these effects. In 2018, the Company recorded adjustments to the provisional amounts and completed its accounting for all of the
enactment-date income tax effects of the Tax Act.
The provision for income taxes, classified by the timing and location of payment, was as follows:
At December 31, 2018, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of $216.7 million , of which $136.6 million has an indefinite carryforward. The
remainder will expire at various dates from 2019 to 2037.
Prior to 2018, the Company's effective income tax rate was generally lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily because foreign income was generally
subject to local statutory country tax rates that were below the 35% U.S. statutory tax rate and reflected the impact of global transfer pricing. Beginning in 2018,
the Tax Act reduced the U.S. statutory tax rate to 21% . As a result, the Company’s 2018 effective income tax rate is higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate of
21% primarily due to the impact of state income taxes and foreign income that is subject to local statutory country tax rates that are above the 21% U.S.
statutory tax rate.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits totaled $1,342.8 million and $1,180.4 million , respectively. After
considering the deferred tax accounting impact, it is expected that about $940 million of the total as of December 31, 2018 would favorably affect the effective
tax rate if resolved in the Company’s favor.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits:
In 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued a Revenue Agent Report (“RAR”) that included certain disagreed transfer pricing adjustments related
to the Company’s U.S. Federal income tax returns for 2009 and 2010. Also in 2015, the Company filed a protest with the IRS related to these disagreed transfer
pricing matters. During 2017, the Company received a response to its protest. In December 2018, the Company met with the IRS Appeals team and additional
meetings are anticipated in 2019.
In 2017, the IRS completed its examination of the Company’s U.S. Federal income tax returns for 2011 and 2012. In 2018, the IRS issued a RAR for these
years. As expected, the RAR included the same disagreed transfer pricing matters as the 2009 and 2010 RAR. Also in 2018, the Company filed a protest with
the IRS related to these disagreed transfer pricing matters. The transfer pricing matters for 2011 and 2012 are being addressed along with the 2009 and 2010
transfer pricing matters as part of the 2009-2010 appeals process. The Company is also under audit in multiple foreign tax jurisdictions for matters primarily
related to transfer pricing, and the Company is under audit in multiple state tax jurisdictions. It is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax
benefits could decrease up to $900 million within the next 12 months, of which only a portion could favorably affect the effective tax rate. This would be due to
the possible settlement of the IRS transfer pricing matters, completion of the aforementioned foreign and state tax audits and the expiration of the statute of
limitations in multiple tax jurisdictions.
In addition, it is reasonably possible that, as a result of audit progression in both the U.S. and foreign tax audits within the next 12 months, there may be
new information that causes the Company to reassess the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits recorded. While the Company cannot estimate the impact
that new information may have on our unrecognized tax benefit balance, it believes that the liabilities recorded are appropriate and adequate.
The Company operates within multiple tax jurisdictions and is subject to audit in these jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject
to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations for years before 2009.
The Company had $152.0 million and $155.3 million accrued for interest and penalties at December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The Company
recognized interest and penalties related to tax matters of $13.9 million in 2018 , $34.9 million in 2017, and $41.7 million in 2016 , which are included in the
provision for income taxes.
In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company completed the accounting of the income tax effects of the Tax Act, including the conclusion on the Company’s
accounting position related to the indefinite reinvestment of unremitted foreign earnings. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has accumulated undistributed
earnings generated by our foreign subsidiaries, which were predominantly taxed in the U.S. as a result of the transition tax provisions enacted under the Tax Act.
Management does not assert that these previously-taxed unremitted earnings are indefinitely reinvested in operations outside the U.S. Accordingly, the
Company has provided deferred taxes for the tax effects incremental to the transition tax. We have not provided for deferred taxes on outside basis differences
in our investments in our foreign subsidiaries that are unrelated to these accumulated undistributed earnings, as these outside basis differences are indefinitely
reinvested. A determination of the unrecognized deferred taxes related to these other components of our outside basis differences is not practicable.
Total long-lived assets, primarily property and equipment, were (in millions)–Consolidated: 2018 – $27,511.7 ; 2017 – $27,164.2 ; 2016 – $25,200.4 ; U.S.
based: 2018 – $13,602.4 ; 2017 – $12,308.7 ; 2016 – $11,689.7 .
Effective January 1, 2019, McDonald’s operates under a new organizational structure designed to continue the Company's efforts toward efficiently driving
growth through the Velocity Growth Plan with the following three segments:
• U.S. - the Company’s largest market.
• International Operated Markets - comprised of wholly-owned markets, or countries in which the Company operates restaurants, including Australia,
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain and the U.K.
• International Developmental Licensed Markets - comprised primarily of developmental licensee and affiliate markets in the McDonald’s system.
Corporate activities will also be reported in this segment.
RSUs
RSUs generally vest 100% on the third anniversary of the grant and are payable in either shares of McDonald’s common stock or cash, at the Company’s
discretion. The fair value of each RSU granted is equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at date of grant, and prior to 2018 included a reduction for the
present value of expected dividends over the vesting period. Separately, Company executives have been awarded RSUs that vest based on Company
performance. For performance-based RSUs granted beginning in 2016, the Company includes a relative TSR modifier to determine the number of shares
earned at the end of the performance period. The fair value of performance-based RSUs that include the TSR modifier is determined using a Monte Carlo
valuation model.
A summary of the Company’s RSU activity during the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 is presented in the following table:
The total fair value of RSUs vested during 2018 , 2017 and 2016 was $117.9 million , $87.6 million and $99.3 million , respectively. The tax benefit realized
from RSUs vested during 2018 was $23.8 million .
(1) Includes a $1.01 and $0.94 per share dividend declared and paid in third quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively, and a $1.16 and $1.01 per share dividend declared in the third quarter and
paid in fourth quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively.
I. pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the
Company;
II. provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of
management and directors of the Company; and
III. provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that
could have a material effect on the financial statements.
There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls.
Accordingly, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurances with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of
changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal controls may vary over time.
Management assessed the design and effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 . In making this
assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control –
Integrated Framework (2013 Framework).
Based on management’s assessment using those criteria, as of December 31, 2018 , management believes that the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting is effective.
Ernst & Young, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 and the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 . Their reports are presented on the
following pages. The independent registered public accountants and internal auditors advise management of the results of their audits, and make
recommendations to improve the system of internal controls. Management evaluates the audit recommendations and takes appropriate action.
McDONALD’S CORPORATION
February 22, 2019
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of McDonald’s Corporation (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related
consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 22, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial
statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in
accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to
assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such
procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have audited McDonald’s Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion,
McDonald’s Corporation (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on
the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance
sheets of McDonald’s Corporation as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income,
shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and our report dated February 22,
2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the
PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and
evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered
necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over
financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation
of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in
accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Chicago, Illinois
February 22, 2019
PART III
ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed no later than 120 days after December 31,
2018 . We will post any amendments to or any waivers for directors and executive officers from provisions of the Company's Standards of Business Conduct or
Code of Conduct for the Board of Directors on the Company’s website at www.aboutmcdonalds.com.
Information regarding all of the Company’s executive officers is included in Part I, page 11 of this Form 10-K.
Number of securities
Number of securities remaining available for
to be issued upon Weighted-average future issuance under
exercise of exercise price of equity compensation plans
outstanding options, outstanding options, (excluding securities
warrants and rights warrants and rights reflected in column (a))
Plan category (a) (b) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 18,109,370 (1) $ 114.64 28,407,326
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders — — —
Total 18,109,370 $ 114.64 28,407,326
(1) Includes 3,056,489 stock options granted under the McDonald’s Corporation 2001 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan and 13,582,616 stock options and 1,470,265 restricted stock units
granted under the McDonald's Corporation 2012 Omnibus Stock Ownership Plan.
Additional matters are incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed no later than 120 days after
December 31, 2018 .
PART IV
ITEM 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
a. (1) All financial statements
Consolidated financial statements filed as part of this report are listed under Part II, Item 8, pages 31 through 52 of this Form 10-K.
(2) Financial statement schedules
No schedules are required because either the required information is not present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the
schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
b. Exhibits
The exhibits listed in the accompanying index are filed as part of this report.
To: Douglas Goare
Thank you for over 40 years of contributions to the McDonald’s system. You will retire from McDonald’s effective December 31,
2018 and the following states the terms of our Agreement regarding your separation from McDonald’s.
RETIREMENT DATE
Your date of termination will be December 31, 2018.
PAYMENTS
Beginning on your termination date you will receive the following payments:
• Compensation for any accrued but unused vacation, as of your termination date.
• A lump sum payment of $183,000 minus taxes and deductions, payable on or before March 15, 2019.
• Eight (8) weeks compensation, minus taxes and deductions, for your sabbatical, payable to you six (6) months after the date
of termination in accordance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, provided you have signed and not revoked
this agreement.
All other pay earned by you has been included in your final pay. All payments to you, as set forth in this Agreement, will be issued
in accordance with, and subject to any withholding required by, all local, state, and federal laws .
BENEFITS TERMINATION
December 31, 2018 shall be your benefits plan termination date for purposes of McDonald's benefits programs, including but not
limited to the 401k Plan and Long Term Incentive Plans. Your active participation in McDonald’s health and welfare plans, such as
Health, Group Insurance and Spending Account Plans will also end as of December 31, 2018. You may be eligible to continue
coverage under the medical, dental, vision and healthcare spending account plans for up to 18 months pursuant to COBRA.
Information on COBRA, if applicable, will be mailed to you. If there are any discrepancies between this agreement and the official
benefit plan documents, the official plan documents will govern. McDonald’s reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to change or
discontinue its benefit programs at any time.
STOCK OPTIONS
Pursuant to the terms of the Grant Materials, you will be permitted to exercise your outstanding stock option awards as provided in
the chart below.
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All unexercisable options at the time of termination will become
3/16/2015 exercisable on their originally scheduled vesting date. 3/16/2025
All unexercisable options at the time of termination will become
2/11/2016 exercisable on their originally scheduled vesting date. 2/11/2026
All unexercisable options at the time of termination will become
3/8/2017 exercisable on their originally scheduled vesting date. 3/8/2027
All unexercisable options at the time of termination will become
2/19/2018 exercisable on their originally scheduled vesting date. 2/19/2028
For more detailed information on the treatment of your stock options and RSUs upon your termination, please refer to the
Termination with at Least 68 Years of Combined Age and Company or Affiliate Service section of the Grant Materials. In the event
of a conflict between this Agreement and the terms of the relevant Grant Materials, the terms of the Grant Materials will prevail with
the exception of the waiver of the twelve month service requirement and the provision of service credit through March 31, 2019.
NEUTRAL REFERENCE
McDonald’s will agree to provide a neutral reference (providing only dates of employment and positions held) to any reference
requests by parties outside McDonald's, provided that all reference requests are directed only to The Work Number at
www.theworknumber.com or 1-800-367-5690. McDonald's is not responsible for statements or references given by any other
McDonald's personnel.
RESIGNATIONS
I hereby tender my resignation as President - International Lead & Global Chief Restaurant Officer of McDonald’s Corporation (the
“Company”), effective December 31, 2018. In addition, I hereby tender my resignation, effective December 31, 2018, from any
other officer and director positions that I currently hold with any McDonald’s group company or affiliated company and for which I
do not otherwise tender a separate resignation.
TAX EQUALIZATION
The tax equalization policy contained in McDonald’s Global Assignee Policy, as amended to comply with Section 409A of the
Internal Revenue Code, will continue to apply to assignment related employment income from McDonald’s, after December 31,
2018 (your “Termination Date”), at McDonald’s discretion. McDonald's agrees, pursuant to this policy, that it will notify you if our
tax services provider will continue to prepare the same income tax returns previously prepared on your
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behalf. You agree to be available to meet with and provide all necessary records for your 2018 and subsequent years’ tax returns
within two and a half months after the close of the applicable United Kingdom, Switzerland and US tax year. You understand that
you will be liable for all interest and penalties if you do not comply with this request each year you are a part of the McDonald’s tax
program. If your home tax residency has changed since the assignment period, or since your Termination Date, you will be
responsible for hypothetical taxes applicable for the jurisdictions to which you were tax equalized during the assignment and any
incremental tax liability resulting from the current tax residency position at the time of receipt of the income. For clarity, you will be
liable for hypothetical US federal tax withholding on all income, and hypothetical Illinois tax state withholding on all income for the
period that you were on assignment. McDonald’s may withhold hypothetical US federal tax and hypothetical state tax on all income
subject to tax equalization in accordance with the Global Mobility Policy. In addition, pursuant to the tax equalization policy, at the
time your US tax returns are prepared a tax equalization calculation will be prepared. Within 30 days of receipt of the tax
equalization calculation, either McDonald's will reimburse you for any monies owed as a result of the tax equalization or you will
reimburse McDonald's for any monies owed as a result of the tax equalization. Should it be necessary for you to reimburse
McDonald's you must send a check in the prescribed amount payable to “McDonald’s Corporation” to the Global Mobility team, 711
Jorie Boulevard, Dept. 028, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523.
You further acknowledge that, upon termination or departure from the United Kingdom and Switzerland that you may continue to
have a United Kingdom and Switzerland tax liability on RSUs and unexercised stock options. McDonald’s will pay such United
Kingdom and Switzerland tax. Actual and/or hypothetical federal taxes will continue to be withheld on stock option exercises/RSU
lapses until the United Kingdom and Switzerland taxes paid by McDonald’s are recovered through foreign tax credits. Any refund
or reduction of US income taxes arising from the carryback or carryforward of United Kingdom and Switzerland taxes paid by
McDonald's shall be returned to McDonald's by you within 15 days of receipt.
In addition to any future United Kingdom and Switzerland tax liability on the monies McDonald’s pays to you after termination of
employment, you may incur a US tax liability as well. The Company will remit that portion of your hypothetical federal tax
necessary to meet the withholding obligations in the US. However, you agree to complete the appropriate tax forms (e.g. Form W-4)
as frequently as necessary to ensure that such US withholding reflects the foreign tax credits available to you as a result of your
United Kingdom and Switzerland tax payments.
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McDonald’s in any claim, lawsuit or proceeding by you against McDonald’s for breach of this Agreement or for a claim that is
excepted from the General Release, below.
Further, nothing in this Agreement prohibits you from reporting possible violations of federal, state or local law or regulation to any
governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of
federal, state or local law or regulation. You do not need the prior authorization or approval of the Law Department or anyone else at
McDonald’s to make any such reports or disclosures and you are not required to notify the company that you have made such reports
or disclosures.
GENERAL RELEASE
In exchange for the payments and benefits set forth in to this Agreement, you (and anyone claiming through you or on your behalf,
including your heirs and assigns) agree to release “McDonald’s” ("McDonald's," as used in this release and throughout this
Agreement, is defined in the final paragraph (SUCCESSORS; DEFINITION OF "McDONALD'S") of this Agreement) with
respect to any and all claims, actions, causes of action, complaints, grievances, demands, allegations, promises, and obligations for
damages, and any and all other demands you may have against McDonald’s or have ever had, whether known or unknown,
concerning, relating to, or arising out of any alleged acts or omissions by McDonald’s from the beginning of time to the date on
which you execute this Agreement.
The claims you are releasing include without limitation the Claims as defined in this Agreement, any additional claims asserted on
your behalf by legal counsel (if any) or by any individual, entity or government agency, and all other claims arising under any act,
statute, constitution, regulation, executive order, ordinance, or the common law, including any claims for attorneys’ fees and/or
costs. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and subject to the exceptions listed in the section entitled “Right to Enforce
Agreement and Cooperate with the Government” listed below, the claims released by you hereunder include, but are not limited to:
(a) all claims for or related in any way to your employment, compensation, other terms and conditions of employment, or
cessation of employment with McDonald’s;
(b) all claims that were or could have been asserted by you or on your behalf: (i) in any federal, state, or local court, or
tribunal; (ii) under any public policy or common law theory; (iii) under any employment agreement or contract, other agreement or
contract, tort (including but not limited to claims for infliction of emotional distress); or (iv) under any federal, state, or local law,
regulation, ordinance, or executive order;
(c) any and all claims that McDonald’s is obligated to pay or owes any compensation or payments to you in connection with
any ideas, information, inventions, processes, procedures, systems, methods, intellectual property or other materials that you may
have developed, produced, created, designed, modified, improved, enhanced or revised during your employment with McDonald’s
or disclosed to McDonald’s, including without limitation any trademarks, service marks, trade dress, copyrights, patents and/or trade
secrets, (collectively referred to in this Agreement as “Materials”); and
(d) any and all claims that were or could have been asserted by you or on your behalf arising under any law, including but not
limited to, and as in effect or amended from time to time: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”), the Civil Rights Act
of 1866 (42 U.S.C. Section 1981), the Civil Rights Act of 1991 (42 U.S.C. Section 1981a), Age Discrimination in Employment Act,
29
5
U.S.C. §§ 621 et seq. (“ADEA”), the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the
Family and Medical Leave Act, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA”), the Genetic
Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA”), the Equal Pay Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Immigration Reform Control
Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Notification Act (“WARN Act”), the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, any state or federal consumer protection and/or trade
practices act, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, the Illinois Equal Wage Act, the Illinois
Equal Pay Act of 2003, the Illinois Minimum Wage Law, the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“Illinois
WARN Act”), the anti-retaliation provisions of the Illinois Workers Compensation Act, and the Illinois Whistleblower Act and any
other whistleblower statute.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the claims you are releasing include any claim that any future nonpayment or
difference in amount, timing or duration of wages, salaries, bonuses, benefits (such as under the Profit Sharing and Savings Plan,
Long Term Incentive Plans, Insurance Plans, TIP Plan, stock option and restricted stock unit plans, and Cash Performance Unit Plan)
or other compensation is discriminatory under the ADEA, Title VII, the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all as amended or
modified in operation by the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, and all such claims under all federal, state and local law, as
heretofore or hereafter amended or modified in operation.
YOU UNDERSTAND BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, YOU ARE GIVING UP ALL CLAIMS AGAINST McDONALD’S
except those expressly excepted by this Agreement or otherwise not waivable. You agree that this Agreement provides benefits to
you that are above and beyond anything to which you are otherwise entitled.
Further, nothing in this Agreement prohibits you from reporting possible violations of federal, state or local law or regulation to any
governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of
federal, state or local law or regulation. You do not need the prior authorization or approval of the Law Department or anyone else at
McDonald’s to make any such reports or disclosures and you are not required to notify the company that you have made such reports
or disclosures. And nothing in
6
this Agreement prohibits or restricts your ability to share confidential company information regarding possible violations of the law
with any federal, state or local government agency, and to accept monetary awards for providing information about violations of the
law to any such agency (sometimes referred to as whistleblower awards or informant awards) under any whistleblower law, rule or
program.
RETURN OF McDONALD’S PROPERTY; DEDUCTIONS FROM PAY FOR MONEY OWED TO McDONALD’S
On or by your termination date you will return to McDonald's all documents, manuals, office equipment, credit cards and other
things belonging to McDonald's which you have borrowed or which you possess or control. You authorize McDonald's to deduct
from your paycheck or severance pay, any money owed McDonald's as a result of items which are not returned or for loans or
advances you have received and which remain unpaid, if you agreed to allow such deductions at the time the loans or advances were
made.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you further agree that, you shall not, for three (3) years following your termination
date publish any articles or books about McDonald’s, its business or any McDonald’s-Related Person, or grant an interview to any
representative of the public media, without the prior written consent of McDonald’s General Counsel, Jerry Krulewitch, or his
successor. Please contact Carrie Reuter, c/o McDonald’s Corporation, 110 N Carpenter Street, Dept. #146, Chicago, IL 60607, to
request such written consent.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or interfere with your right to file a charge, cooperate, or
participate in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other federal, state,
or local agency. Additionally, nothing herein shall prohibit you from discussing wages and working conditions with other current or
former employees, and the Parties agree that nothing in this Agreement is intended or will be interpreted so as to interfere with any
rights you may have under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act.
Further, nothing in this Agreement prohibits you from reporting possible violations of federal, state or local law or regulation to any
governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of
federal, state or local law or regulation. You do not need the prior authorization or approval of the Law Department or anyone else at
McDonald’s to make any such reports or disclosures and you are not required to notify the company that you have made such reports
or disclosures.
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McDonald’s or related in any way to McDonald’s business or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development. Any
assignment to McDonald’s of Inventions includes all rights of attribution, paternity, integrity, modification, disclosure and
withdrawal, and any other rights throughout the world that may be known as or referred to as “moral rights," “artist’s rights," “droit
moral," or the like (collectively, “Moral Rights”). To the extent that Moral Rights cannot be assigned under applicable law, you
hereby waive and agree not to enforce any and all Moral Rights, including, without limitation, any right to identification of
authorship or limitation on subsequent modification that you may have in the assigned Inventions. You further acknowledge that all
original works of authorship that were made by you (solely or jointly with others) within the scope of and during the period of
employment with McDonald’s and which are protectable by copyright are “works made for hire”, as that term is defined in the
United States Copyright Act (17 USC §101) or under any similar concept other applicable copyright law (to the extent U.S.
copyright law does not apply). The provisions of this Section shall be binding upon you and your heirs, executors and administrators.
Further, nothing in this Agreement prohibits you from reporting possible violations of federal, state or local law or regulation to any
governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of
federal, state or local law or regulation. You do not need the prior authorization or approval of the Law Department or anyone else at
McDonald’s to make any such reports or disclosures and you are not required to notify the company that you have made such reports
or disclosures.
9
indirectly, to a McDonald’s “salaried” employee, you agree to contact the Executive Vice President of Human Resources, or his/her
successor, for approval before extending such an offer.
Nothing herein shall prohibit or interfere with your right to file a charge, cooperate or participate in an investigation or proceeding
conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other federal, state, or local agency. Further, nothing in this
Agreement prohibits you from reporting possible violations of federal, state or local law or regulation to any governmental agency or
entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any
agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal, state or local
law or regulation. You do not need the prior authorization or approval of the Law Department or anyone else at McDonald’s to make
any such reports or disclosures and you are not required to notify the company that you have made such reports or disclosures.
NON-COMPETE
You acknowledge that McDonald’s is engaged in a highly competitive business and has a compelling business need and interest in
preventing release or disclosure of its confidential, proprietary and trade secret information as defined in this Agreement. Moreover,
you acknowledge that McDonald’s has highly valuable, long-term and near permanent relationships with certain customers,
suppliers, manufacturers, franchisees, employees and service organizations which McDonald’s has a legitimate interest in protecting
and that you, by virtue of your position with McDonald’s, had, have and will continue to have access to these customers, suppliers,
manufacturers, franchisees, employees and service organizations as well as the confidential, proprietary and trade secret information
as defined in this Agreement. You also acknowledge that McDonald’s has invested substantial time, money and other resources in
building and maintaining good will, reputation and a valuable brand and system. You acknowledge and agree that, in performing
services for McDonald’s, you were placed in a position of trust with McDonald’s and that, because of the nature of the services
provided by you to McDonald’s, Confidential Information will become engrained in you, so much so that you would inevitably or
inadvertently disclose such information in the event you were to provide similar services to a competitor of McDonald’s. As such,
you agree and covenant that for a period of twenty-four (24) months following your termination date: (A) you shall not either
directly or indirectly, alone or in conjunction with any other party or entity, perform any services, work or consulting for one or more
Competitive Companies anywhere in the world. "Competitive Companies" shall mean any company in the ready-to-eat restaurant
industry that competes with the business of McDonald's, including any business in which McDonald's engaged during the term of
your employment and any business that McDonald's was actively considering conducting at the time of your termination of
employment. Examples of Competitive Companies include, but are not limited to: YUM Brands, Inc. (including but not limited to
Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken and all of YUM Brands, Inc.’s subsidiaries), Quick Service Restaurant Holdings
(and all of its brands and subsidiaries), Burger King/Hungry Jacks, Wendy’s, Culver’s, In-N-Out Burger, Sonic, Hardee’s,
Checker’s, Arby’s, Long John Silver’s, Jack-in-the-Box, Popeye’s Chicken, Chick-fil-A, Domino’s Pizza, Chipotle, Q-doba, Panera
Bread, Papa John’s, Potbelly, Subway, Quiznos, Dunkin’ Brands, Seven-Eleven, Tim Horton’s, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, BoJangle’s,
WaWa, Five Guys, Denny’s and their respective organizations, partnerships, ventures, sister companies, franchisees, affiliates or any
organization in which they have an interest and which are involved in the ready-to-eat restaurant industry anywhere in the world, or
which otherwise compete with McDonald's. You agree to consult with the Executive
10
Vice President of Human Resources, or his/her successor, for clarification as to whether or not McDonald’s views a prospective
employer, consulting client or other business relationship of you may have or have had in the ready-to-eat industry not listed above
as a Competitive Company; and (B) you shall not perform or provide, or assist any third party in performing or providing,
Competitive Services anywhere in the world, whether directly or indirectly, as an employer, officer, director, owner, employee,
partner or otherwise, of any person, entity, business, or enterprise. For the purposes of this restriction, “Competitive Services” means
the design, development, manufacture, marketing or sale of a product, product line or service that competes with any product,
product line or service of McDonald’s as they presently exist or as may be in existence or development on Executive’s termination
date. You agree that you will notify McDonald’s prior to engaging in any way with a competitor of McDonald’s, and you further
acknowledge and agree that McDonald’s may contact the subsequent employer and reveal the terms of this Agreement. This Section
is not meant to prevent you from earning a living or fostering your career, but rather to prevent any competitive business from
gaining any unfair advantage from your knowledge of McDonald’s Confidential Information, trade secrets and/or proprietary
information.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
You acknowledge that during your employment with McDonalds you have formulated, established and otherwise had access to and
knowledge of McDonald’s Confidential Information as defined in this Agreement. You further acknowledge that the preservation of
a continuing business relationship between McDonald’s and its customers, franchisees, suppliers and manufacturers is of critical
importance to the continued business success of McDonald’s and that it is the policy of McDonald’s to safeguard as confidential the
identity and special needs of certain customers, franchisees, suppliers, manufacturers, representatives and key employees. You also
acknowledge that McDonald’s has invested substantial time, money and other resources in building and maintaining good will,
reputation and a valuable brand and system.
In view of the foregoing, you agree and covenant that at all times after your termination date, (A) you will hold in strict confidence
and will not use, disclose, communicate, or distribute, to any person(s), firm or corporation, any Confidential Information (as defined
herein), except as may be authorized and required in connection with your work for McDonald’s, unless you are compelled to do so
by judicial process, or unless the General Counsel of McDonald’s expressly authorizes such in writing. You understand and agree
that any unauthorized use of Confidential Information by you or by any party receiving such information through you shall be
deemed a material breach of this agreement; (B) you will not take, but will leave with McDonald’s, all records (including electronic
data) and papers and all other items of whatever nature that contain Confidential Information; and (C) you will not write, confirm or
otherwise communicate or publish to any person or entity any of McDonald’s trade secrets, proprietary information or Confidential
Information, including, without limitation while using social media (e.g., blogging, tweeting, and postings on social networking
sites).
For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means all non-public information that is not generally known in the
trade or industry and that is valuable to McDonald’s and that is or was disclosed by McDonald’s or by its affiliates to you or
obtained by or imparted to you through your employment with McDonald’s (whether prepared by McDonald’s or its agents or
advisors) in oral, electronic, tangible or intangible form, concerning the processes, products, services, technology, or business of
McDonald’s, that is either identified by McDonald’s as being confidential, or that would
11
be understood by a person in your position, exercising reasonable business judgment, to be confidential. Confidential Information
includes, but is not limited to, (i) trade secrets and proprietary information as defined in this Agreement; (ii) special information
about relationships and distributors, vendors, suppliers, manufacturers, franchisees, employees and customers, (iii) special and
confidential knowledge about McDonald’s relating to pricing, business and financial affairs, advertising, marketing, sales, expansion
plans, new store sites and strategies for McDonald’s business, including various technical items and equipment used or contemplated
for use in McDonald’s business; and (iv) any information McDonald’s has received, and in the future may receive, from third parties
for which McDonald’s may owe a duty to maintain confidentiality or to use solely for limited purposes. For purposes of this
Agreement, the terms “trade secrets” and “proprietary information” include processes, methods, recipes, techniques, systems,
formulae, patents, models, devices, compilations, customer lists, financial information, development plans, supplier lists and any
information of whatever nature that gives McDonald’s an opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors who do not know or
use such information or data or any information that would be harmful to McDonald’s if disclosed. Confidential Information does
not include general knowledge in the industry in which McDonald’s is engaged, information or materials disseminated to the general
public by McDonald’s, and/or information that becomes public through no wrongful act or omission by you or by any other person.
Nothing herein shall prohibit or interfere with your right to file a charge, cooperate or participate in an investigation or proceeding
conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other federal, state, or local agency. In addition, nothing herein
prohibits you from reporting possible violations of federal, state or local law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity,
including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency
Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal, state or local law or
regulation. You do not need the prior authorization or approval from McDonald’s and is not required to notify McDonald’s before
making any such reports or disclosures. In addition, you shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade
secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made (i) in confidence either directly or indirectly to a federal, state, or local
government official, or to an attorney, solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a violation of law or (ii) in a complaint, or
other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. This Section will govern to the extent it may
conflict with any other provision of this Agreement.
CONSIDERATION PERIOD; KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, AND ACCEPTANCE
AND RETURN OF THE AGREEMENT
You have participated in negotiating the terms of this Agreement, have read it and understand it fully. You acknowledge that you
have been and are hereby advised by this Agreement to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement. You further
acknowledge that you have been given at
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least 21 days to consider the terms of this Agreement, that you have been able to use this period, or as much of this period as
you desire, and that you are now executing this Agreement voluntarily with the express intention of making a binding legal
agreement, including giving up all claims against McDonald’s. You forever waive any relief not explicitly set forth in this
document. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or interfere with your right to file a charge,
cooperate or participate in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or other
federal, state or local agency.
Further, nothing in this Agreement prohibits you from reporting possible violations of federal, state or local law or regulation to any
governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of
federal, state or local law or regulation. You do not need the prior authorization or approval of the Law Department or anyone else at
McDonald’s to make any such reports or disclosures and you are not required to notify the company that you have made such reports
or disclosures.
REMEDIES FOR BREACH
Should you breach this Agreement, McDonald’s shall be entitled to recover 90% of the entire value of any consideration you have
received pursuant to this Agreement and shall be relieved of any obligation to pay further consideration. It is acknowledged that this
is not a penalty but an agreed upon remedy that results from a failure of consideration upon a breach of the provisions of this
Agreement. Nothing herein shall prohibit or interfere with your right to file a charge, cooperate or participate in an investigation or
proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other federal, state, or local agency. Further, nothing
in this Agreement shall prohibit or interfere with your right to challenge enforcement of this Agreement under the Older Workers
Benefit Protection Act before a court or tribunal or before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Further, nothing in this Agreement prohibits you from reporting possible violations of federal, state or local law or regulation to any
governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of
federal, state or local law or regulation. You do not need the prior authorization or approval of the Law Department or anyone else at
McDonald’s to make any such reports or disclosures and you are not required to notify the company that you have made such reports
or disclosures.
13
agree that, to the extent any such dispute, claim or cause of action arises, it must be brought in your individual capacity and not
maintained on a class action, collective action, or representative action basis, that these same limits apply to McDonald’s, and that
the arbitrator is prohibited from presiding over class, collective or representative claims. Claims may not be joined or consolidated in
arbitration with claims brought by other individuals, and no damages, penalties or other remedies may be sought or received on
behalf of other individuals unless expressly agreed to in writing by all parties. Nothing in this paragraph shall limit the arbitrator’s
ability to award a party all statutory and common law remedies available under any claim brought by that party in an individual
capacity that has not been waived or released by this Agreement. The parties understand and agree that this paragraph waives their
right to a jury trial on these claims. In any such arbitration, the waivers and releases contained in this Agreement will be fully
applicable and enforceable. In the event a waiver of class, collective or representative claims is found to be unlawful or
unenforceable, then the only forum for such an action will be court, not arbitration. Additionally, to the fullest extent allowed by law,
if any proceeding may be brought by you or McDonald’s in court or any other forum relating to or arising under your employment or
separation of employment or the interpretation, application, validity, breach and enforcement of this Agreement, it shall be brought
in an individual capacity and not maintained on a class, collective or representative action basis.
Nothing herein shall prohibit or interfere with your right to file a charge, cooperate or participate in an investigation or proceeding
conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other federal, state, or local agency, or your right to file a
workers’ compensation or unemployment claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, McDonald’s may in its discretion seek injunctive or
other equitable relief, pending resolution of arbitration, in any court of competent jurisdiction for any violation of the Non-Compete;
Non-Solicitation of Employees; Non-Interference with Business Relationships; Confidentiality of Employee Names; Non-
Disturbance; and Confidential Information or other post-employment obligations provided for in this Agreement. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, any dispute as to whether a claim is arbitrable or whether a claim may be maintained on a class
action, collective action, or representative action basis or may be joined or consolidated in arbitration with claims brought by other
individuals, shall be determined by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois or the Circuit Court of the
Eighteenth Judicial Circuit (DuPage County) of the State of Illinois, and you and McDonald’s submit to the jurisdiction of those
courts and agree to such venue.
Further, nothing in this Agreement prohibits you from reporting possible violations of federal, state or local law or regulation to any
governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of
federal, state or local law or regulation. You do not need the prior authorization or approval of the Law Department or anyone else at
McDonald’s to make any such reports or disclosures and you are not required to notify the company that you have made such reports
or disclosures.
RIGHT TO REVOKE
This Agreement may be revoked by delivering a written notice of revocation to Carrie Reuter, McDonald’s Corporation, 110 N
Carpenter Street, Dept. 146, Chicago, Illinois 60607, no later than the seventh day after you sign it. Revocations delivered by mail
must be postmarked by the seventh day after signing this Agreement.
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ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement contains the full agreement between you and McDonald’s and completely supersedes any prior written or oral
agreements or representations concerning the subject matter thereof, provided, however, that you agree and acknowledge that the
obligations and restrictive covenants set forth in this Agreement (including the Non-Compete; Non-Solicitation of Employees; Non-
Interference with Business Relationships; Confidentiality of Employee Names; Non-Disturbance; and Confidential Information
paragraphs) are consistent with and largely mirror the obligations and restrictive covenants (save and except for the extended length)
set forth in the Confidentiality, Intellectual Property & Restrictive Covenant Agreement dated March 23, 2017 between you and
McDonald’s that you signed for good and valuable consideration and that was ancillary to your employment with McDonald’s. Any
oral representation or modification concerning this Agreement shall be of no force or effect.
SAVINGS CLAUSE
In the event that any one or more provisions (or portion thereof) of this Agreement is held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable
for any reason, the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable provision (or portion thereof) shall be construed or modified so as to provide
the released parties with the maximum protection that is valid, lawful and enforceable, consistent with the intent of the parties in
entering into this Agreement. If such provision (or portion thereof) cannot be construed or modified so as to be valid, lawful and
enforceable, that provision (or portion thereof) shall be construed as narrowly as possible and shall be severed from the remainder of
this Agreement (or provision), and the remainder shall remain in effect and be construed as broadly as possible, as if such invalid,
unlawful or unenforceable provision (or portion thereof) had never been contained in this Agreement.
Again, Doug, thank you for your many years of valuable service to the system. We wish you much happiness as you begin this
exciting new chapter in your life.
/s/ Douglas Goare January 7, 2019
Douglas Goare Date
/s/ Sharon Lepping Pool February 13, 2019
McDonald's Date
15
Attachment A: Intellectual Property
Please list any Intellectual Property which you made, conceived or learned prior to the commencement of your employment with
McDonald’s:
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Exhibit 12. Computation of Ratios
(1)(2)
Total Debt as a Percent of Total Capitalization
Dollars in millions Years ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016
Total debt obligations $ 31,075.3 $ 29,536.4 $ 25,955.7
Fair value adjustments 12.0 6.2 —
Deferred debt costs 129.0 120.5 110.0
Debt obligations before fair value adjustments and deferred debt costs $ 31,216.3 $ 29,663.1 $ 26,065.7
Total capitalization $ 24,957.9 $ 26,395.1 $ 23,861.4
Total debt as a percent of total capitalization 125% 112% 109%
(1) Based on debt obligations before the effects of fair value hedging adjustments and deferred debt costs. These effects are excluded as they have no impact on the obligation at maturity.
See Debt Financing note to the consolidated financial statements.
(2) Total capitalization represents debt obligations before fair value adjustments and deferred debt costs, and total shareholders' equity.
(1)
Cash Provided by Operations as a Percent of Total Debt
Dollars in millions Years ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016
Total debt obligations $ 31,075.3 $ 29,536.4 $ 25,955.7
Fair value adjustments 12.0 6.2 —
Deferred debt costs 129.0 120.5 110.0
Debt obligations before fair value adjustments and deferred debt costs $ 31,216.3 $ 29,663.1 $ 26,065.7
Cash provided by operations $ 6,966.7 $ 5,551.2 $ 6,059.6
Cash provided by operations as a percent of total debt 22% 19% 23%
(1) Based on debt obligations before the effects of fair value hedging adjustments and deferred debt costs. These effects are excluded as they have no impact on the obligation at maturity.
See Debt Financing note to the consolidated financial statements.
Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Conversion Rate
Dollars in millions Years ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016
Cash Provided by Operations $ 6,966.7 $ 5,551.2 $ 6,059.6
Less: Capital expenditures 2,741.7 1,853.7 1,821.1
Free cash flow $ 4,225.0 $ 3,697.5 $ 4,238.5
Divided by: Net income 5,924.3 5,192.3 4,686.5
Free cash flow conversion rate 71.3% 71.2% 90.4%
Reconciliation of Returns on Incremental Invested Capital
ROIIC is a measure reviewed by management over one-year and three-year time periods to evaluate the overall profitability of our markets, the effectiveness of
capital deployed and the future allocation of capital. This measure is calculated using operating income and constant foreign exchange rates to exclude the
impact of foreign currency translation. The numerator is the Company’s incremental operating income plus depreciation and amortization from the base period.
The denominator is the weighted-average cash used for investing activities during the applicable one-or three-year period. The weighted-average cash used
for investing activities is based on a weighting applied on a quarterly basis. These weightings are used to reflect the estimated contribution of each quarter’s
investing activities to incremental operating income. For example, fourth quarter 2018 investing activities are weighted less because the assets purchased have
only recently been deployed and would have generated little incremental operating income (12.5% of fourth quarter 2018 investing activities are included in the
one-year and three-year calculations). In contrast, fourth quarter 2017 is heavily weighted because the assets purchased were deployed more than 12 months
ago, and therefore have a full-year impact on 2018 operating income, with little or no impact to the base period (87.5% and 100.0% of fourth quarter 2017
investing activities are included in the one-year and three-year calculations, respectively). Cash used for investing activities can vary significantly by quarter,
resulting in a weighted-average that may be higher or lower than the simple average of the periods presented. Management believes that weighting cash used
for investing activities provides a more accurate reflection of the relationship between its investments and returns than a simple average.
The reconciliations to the most comparable measurements, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., for the numerator and
denominator of the one-year and three-year ROIIC are as follows:
One-year ROIIC calculation (dollars in millions): Three-year ROIIC calculation (dollars in millions):
Increase/ Increase/
Years ended December 31, 2018 2017 (decrease) Years ended December 31, 2018 2015 (decrease)
NUMERATOR: NUMERATOR:
Operating income $ 8,822.6 $ 9,552.7 $ (730.1) Operating income $ 8,822.6 $ 7,145.5 $ 1,677.1
Depreciation and amortization 1,482.0 1,363.4 118.6 Depreciation and amortization 1,482.0 1,555.7 (73.7)
Currency translation (1) (55.2) Currency translation (1) 52.7
Change in operating income plus depreciation and Change in operating income plus depreciation and
amortization (at constant foreign exchange rates) $ (666.7) amortization (at constant foreign exchange rates) $ 1,656.1
DENOMINATOR: DENOMINATOR:
Weighted-average cash used for Weighted-average cash used for
investing activities (2) $ 834.6 investing activities (2) $ 2,124.3
Currency translation (1) (5.8) Currency translation (1)
(1.5)
Weighted-average cash used for investing activities (at Weighted-average cash used for investing activities (at
constant foreign exchange rates) $ 828.8 constant foreign exchange rates) $ 2,122.8
One-year ROIIC (3) (80.4)% Three-year ROIIC (3) 78.0%
(1) Represents the effect of foreign currency translation by translating results at an average exchange rate for the periods measured.
(2) Represents one-year and three-year, respectively, weighted-average cash used for investing activities, determined by applying the weightings below to the cash (provided by) used for
investing activities for each quarter in the two-year and four-year periods ended December 31, 2018 .
The names of certain subsidiaries have been omitted because they do not constitute significant subsidiaries. These include, but are not limited to: McDonald's Latin America,
LLC [Delaware] and other domestic and foreign, direct and indirect subsidiaries of the registrant, including 49 wholly-owned subsidiaries of McDonald's USA, LLC, many of
which operate one or more McDonald's restaurants within the United States and the District of Columbia.
[ ] Brackets indicate state or country of incorporation and do not form part of corporate name.
Exhibit 23. Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of McDonald's Corporation (listed below) and in the related prospectuses of our
reports dated February 22, 2019 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of McDonald's Corporation and the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting of McDonald's Corporation, included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2018 .
This Power of Attorney may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto
and hereto were upon the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney on and as of the 22nd day of February, 2019.
(1) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of McDonald’s Corporation;
(2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
(4) The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))
for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision,
to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent
fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
(5) The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the
registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably
likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control
over financial reporting.
(1) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of McDonald’s Corporation;
(2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
(4) The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))
for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision,
to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent
fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
(5) The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the
registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably
likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control
over financial reporting.