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| | McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is an American corporation, largest chain of fast food restaurants in the world. According to the results of 2007, McDonald’s Corporation is in the list of Fortune 500 (occupies 318th spot). Headquarters — in Chicago suburbs, Oak-Brook, USA.
The History of McDonald's:
Company was founded in 1940 by Dick and Mac McDonald brothers (first restaurant was opened in San Bernardino, California) and in 1948, they introduced the principles of “Fast Food” for the first time in world.
In 1954, Ray Kroc acquired franchise rights from McDonalds brothers. In 1955, Ray Kroc opened the first McDonald’s in small town Des-Plaines, Illinois (now — museum of McDonald’s Corporation). In 1955, Kroc registered the company McDonald's System, Inc (in 1960, it was renamed to McDonald’s Corporation). In 1961, all rights in the company were completely redeemed by Kroc.
Proprietors and management
President of the Company — Ralph Alvarez
Activities
More than 31000 restaurants work under brand McDonald’s , in which more than 1.5 million workers work and McDonald’s is found in more than 119 countries in 6 continents (out of them, significant portion — franchisees and hence, the assortment in restaurants, size and structure of franchisees vividly differs in various countries). Assortment of restaurants includes hamburgers (including well-known “Big Mac”), sandwiches, French fries, desserts, drinks, etc. Beer is served in majority of restaurants around the world; however, “McDonald's” restaurants in Russia are completely nonalcoholic.
With an to provide the people of state, in which the restaurants are operating, use of only local products by such restaurants is principal doctrine of the company “McDonald’s”. Practically, all products, which are served in “McDonald's” chain of restaurants in any country, are made in the same country itself. In percentage parity, quantitative composition of local products fluctuates between 70 & 85 %, depending on certain country (in Russia, according to official site “McDonald's-Russia” this figure is 75 & in Ukraine — 83). Potato is an exception, which is supplied exclusively from Poland and Holland and sauce for sandwiches, delivered from USA and composition of which is a trade secret.
One of the fastest growing projects in the company is the coffee shop chain, called McCafé.
The revenue of the company in 2005 is 20.5 USD billion (in 2004 — 19 USD billion) and net profit is 2.6 USD billion (in 2004 — 2.3 USD billion). Market capitalization as on February 6, 2006 — about 45.3 USD billion.
McDonald’s in various countries
Home delivery from McDonald’s
In various countries worldwide, home delivery services from McDonald’s exist. Delivery services exist in USA, in fast-developing countries (China, India, Singapore, South Korea, Brazil and others) and also in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait & Russia. In total, about 25 countries worldwide.
Criticism
Since February 2008, all McDonald's restaurants use only new vegetable oil with low-content of trans-isomer (not more than 2%) and saturated fat acids (not more than 12 %).
In a documentary film “Super Size Me”, directed by Morgan Spurlock, protagonist of the film ate food from fast food restaurants for 30 days, including, according to conditions of experiment, at least once a day he should have meals in McDonald’s. On completion of given experiment period, negative health consequences of hero were recorded in independent medical institution: increase in weight by 12 kg, obesity, blood sugar, stomach pain, mood swings, impotence etc. According to authors of telecast, 50000 USD will be required to undergo six-month intensive treatment to liquidate consequences. |
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This year McDonald's celebrates the 40th anniversary of its mascot Ronald McDonald. The original McDonald's mascot (from 1940 till 1968) was a man with a chef's hat on top of a hamburger shaped head, named 
