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McDonald's Press Release - 02/06/2008
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McDONALD’S® COUNTDOWN TO BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES CONTINUES
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With six months to go until the Olympic Games in Beijing, McDonald’s plans to bring the Olympic Games to life for its customers around the world are well underway. Global programs include:
New Restaurants to Feed the Athletes, Media and Spectators
For the seventh consecutive Games, McDonald’s is the Official Restaurant of the Olympic Games. Construction has begun on the first of four official McDonald's Olympic restaurants in Beijing: one in the Olympic Village to serve athletes from around the world, one at the Main Press Center for the more than 20,000 media expected on site and two for the spectators in the main activity area, the Olympic Green.
Customers will find a wide variety of products, including favorites such as the Big Mac® sandwich and World Famous Fries™, Premium Chicken offerings including salads, Fruit n’ Yogurt Parfaits, and Corn Cups, a local Chinese favorite. McDonald’s restaurants in the Olympic Village and the Main Press Center will also feature a McCafé™, offering premium espresso-based coffees, made-to-order specialty drinks and a variety of treats.
McDonald’s Olympic Champion Crew
Countries around the world have proudly selected 1,300 of McDonald’s best of the best restaurant employees to serve the world’s best athletes, as well as coaches, officials, media and spectators at the Olympic restaurants. They will experience the fun and excitement of the Olympic Games first hand, enjoy the wonders of China’s culture and meet their peers from around the world.
To celebrate their skills and the shared Olympic ideals of excellence, teamwork and being the best, a special Big Mac building competition will take place where McDonald’s will award their first “medals” of the Games. In addition, Crew will be able to share their experiences with family and friends through the Olympic Champion Crew blog, which debuted during the Torino Games. For the first-time, Crew will also be able to send video messages to co-workers back home via a special Crew Cam.
McDonald’s Champion Kids™
The McDonald’s Champion Kids program is the newest addition to McDonald’s Olympic sponsorship and further demonstrates the company’s commitment to children’s well being. This program will give up to 300 children from around the world a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the Olympic Games first-hand, meet athletes, visit cultural sights and interact with other kids from across the globe. A select number of kids will share their stories and experiences with their communities and hometown news outlets. McDonald’s markets are currently in the process of selecting their local participants.
Bringing the Games to Life for Customers
McDonald is creating a new global television commercial that celebrates the spirit of the Olympic Movement. In addition, McDonald’s markets around the world will be creating special promotions and advertising to connect with their customers.
Giving Back
As part of McDonald’s tradition of giving back to the host country, the company will make a lasting contribution to Beijing through Ronald McDonald House Charities™.
McDonald’s China
As the host country, McDonald’s China has a comprehensive plan in place that includes exciting initiatives such as restaurant promotions, television commercials, alliances with athletes, as well as unique programs that involve restaurant employees and customers throughout China. In addition, 100 McDonald’s Champion Kids are being selected from 32 cities across China. For the first time ever, McDonald’s China has partnered with CCTV to create a reality show that chronicles the selection of the McDonald’s Champion Kids on their journey to Beijing and during the Games.
McDonald’s Olympic Games History
McDonald’s became an Official Sponsor of the Olympic Games in 1976 and has a long-standing commitment to the Olympic Movement. At the 1968 Olympic Winter Games, McDonald’s airlifted hamburgers to U.S. athletes competing in Grenoble, France, after they reported being homesick for McDonald’s food. Since then, the company has served its menu of choice and variety to millions of athletes, coaches, their families and fans. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games mark McDonald’s sixth Olympic Games as a Worldwide Partner and seventh as the Official Restaurant of the Olympic Games. McDonald’s current sponsorship will continue through the 2012 Games in London.
About McDonald’s
McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 30,000 local restaurants in more than 100 countries. More than 75 percent of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by franchisees and affiliates. Please visit our website at www.mcdonalds.com to learn more about the Company.
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