Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)
Registration Number: 333-82920
P R O S P E C T U S
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
McDonald's Corporation
10,000,000
Stock Appreciation Rights
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This prospectus relates to up to 10,000,000 Stock Appreciation Rights, or
SARs, and up to 10,000,000 shares of our common stock, $.01 par value, that may
be issued upon the exercise of the SARs. Each SAR will entitle the holder to
receive an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of our
common stock on the date the SAR is exercised over the grant price of the SAR.
This amount will be paid by us either in cash or in shares of our common stock
valued as of the date of exercise. The SARs will be granted to certain U.S.
owners/operators pursuant to the terms of the 2002 QSC Rewards Program as
described herein. McDonald's will not receive any proceeds from the grant or the
exercise of the SARs.
Our common stock trades under the symbol "MCD" and is listed on the New
York and Chicago stock exchanges in the United States. The last reported sale
price of our common stock, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite
Tape on March 14, 2002, was $28.15 per share.
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Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
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The date of this prospectus is March 15, 2002.
If it is against the law in any state to offer the Stock Appreciation
Rights (or to solicit an offer from someone to receive the Stock Appreciation
Rights), then this prospectus does not apply to any person in that state, and no
offer or solicitation is made by this prospectus to any such person.
You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus or any supplement. We have not authorized anyone to
provide you with different information. You should not assume that the
information in this prospectus or any supplement is accurate as of any date
other than the date on the front of such documents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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McDONALD'S CORPORATION 1
General 1
Where to get more information 2
USE OF PROCEEDS 3
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN AND THE STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS 3
Introduction 3
What is our purpose in offering the Plan? 3
What are Stock Appreciation Rights and why should you be interested? 4
Who is eligible to participate in the Plan? 4
How are the recipients of Stock Appreciation Rights determined? 4
How is the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Rights determined? 6
Does the grant of Stock Appreciation Rights provide the grantee with
any shareholder or owner/operator rights? 6
When can a grantee exercise his or her Stock Appreciation Rights? 6
How does a grantee exercise his or her Stock Appreciation Rights? 7
Can a grantee exercise Stock Appreciation Rights if the grantee no
longer owns or operates a McDonald's restaurant? 7
Can McDonald's repurchase or cancel Stock Appreciation Rights without
the grantee's permission? 7
What happens to a grantee's Stock Appreciation Rights upon a merger
or other transaction involving McDonald's? 8
How would Stock Appreciation Rights be affected by a split of
McDonald's common stock? 8
Can a grantee sell or transfer his or her Stock Appreciation Rights
to someone else? 8
What is the United States federal income tax treatment of a Stock
Appreciation Right? 8
Investment Considerations 9
Who administers the Plan? 9
Can the Plan be modified? 9
How can a grantee find out about any special rules applicable to
specific grants of Stock Appreciation Rights that the
grantee has received? 10
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 11
LEGAL MATTERS 11
EXPERTS 11
ii
McDONALD'S CORPORATION
General
We are a Delaware corporation organized on March 1, 1965 as the
successor to an Illinois corporation formed in 1956. Our principal executive
offices are at One McDonald's Plaza, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523, telephone: (630)
623-3000, and our registered office in Delaware is at 1013 Centre Road,
Wilmington, Delaware 19805.
We and our subsidiaries develop, operate, franchise and service a
worldwide system of restaurants that prepare, assemble, package and sell a
limited menu of value-priced foods. These restaurants are operated by us and our
subsidiaries or, under the terms of franchise agreements, by franchisees who are
independent third parties, or by affiliates operating under joint-venture
agreements between us or our subsidiaries and local business people.
We operate primarily in the quick-service hamburger restaurant business
under the McDonald's brand. To capture additional meal occasions, the Company
operates other restaurant concepts under its Partner Brands: Boston Market,
Chipotle and Donatos Pizzeria which are all located primarily in the U.S. and
Aroma Cafe, located primarily in the U.K. In addition, the Company has a
minority ownership in U.K.-based Pret A Manger. In fourth quarter 2001, the
Company approved a plan to dispose of its Aroma Cafe business in the U.K. and
expects to complete the sale in the first half of 2002.
Our restaurants offer a substantially uniform menu consisting of
hamburgers and cheeseburgers, including the Big Mac and Quarter Pounder with
Cheese, the Filet-O-Fish, several chicken sandwiches, french fries, Chicken
McNuggets, salads, milk shakes, McFlurries, sundaes and cones, pies, cookies and
soft drinks and other beverages. In addition, we sell a variety of products
during limited promotional time periods. Our restaurants operating in the United
States and certain international markets are open during breakfast hours and
offer a full or limited breakfast menu including the Egg McMuffin and the
Sausage McMuffin with Egg sandwiches, hotcakes and sausage, biscuit sandwiches,
bagel sandwiches and muffins. We test new products on an ongoing basis.
We and our subsidiaries, franchisees and affiliates purchase food
products and packaging from numerous independent suppliers. Quality
specifications for both raw and cooked food products are established and
strictly enforced. Alternative sources of these items are generally available.
Quality assurance labs in the United States, Europe and the Pacific work to
ensure that our high standards are consistently met. The quality assurance
process involves ongoing testing and on-site inspections of suppliers'
facilities. Independently owned and operated distribution centers distribute
products and supplies to most of our restaurants. The restaurants then prepare,
assemble and package these products using specially designed production
techniques and equipment to obtain uniform standards of quality.
Our restaurants are located in all fifty of the United States and the
District of Columbia and in many foreign locations, principally Japan, Canada,
Germany, England, France, Australia and Brazil. At December 31, 2001, there were
30,093 restaurants worldwide, of which 14,130 were located in the United States
and 15,963 in 120 other countries.
Where to get more information
We have filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") relating to the Stock Appreciation Rights of which this
prospectus forms a part. This prospectus does not contain all of the information
described in the registration statement. For further information, you should
refer to the registration statement.
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We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and
other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or
other information that we file with the SEC at the SEC's public reference room
in Washington, D.C. You can request copies of these documents, upon payment of a
duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the operation of the public reference room. Our SEC
filings are also available to the public at the SEC's Website at
http://www.sec.gov. The SEC file number for our documents filed under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is 1-5231.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this
prospectus. This means we can disclose important information to you by referring
you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information
incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, except
for any such information that is superseded by information included directly in
this document.
The following documents that we have filed with the SEC are
incorporated into this prospectus by reference and are considered a part of this
prospectus:
(a) Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 1, 2001,
March 19, 2001, April 23, 2001, June 19, 2001, July 13, 2001,
July 26, 2001, September 20, 2001, October 23, 2001,
October 30, 2001, December 17, 2001, January 25, 2002 and
February 14, 2002;
(b) Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2000;
(c) Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March
31, 2001, June 30, 2001 and September 30, 2001; and
(d) A description of our common stock contained in the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-16119) under the
caption "Description of Capital Stock."
Later information that we file with the SEC will update and/or
supersede this information. We are also incorporating by reference all documents
filed with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this prospectus and prior to
the expiration of any outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights.
We will provide any of the above documents (including any exhibits that
are specifically incorporated by reference in them) to each person to whom this
prospectus is delivered. You may request these documents at no cost. Written or
telephone requests should be directed to:
McDonald's Corporation
c/o Investors Relations Department
Kroc Drive
Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
Telephone: 630-623-7428
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USE OF PROCEEDS
McDonald's will not receive any proceeds from the recipients of the
Stock Appreciation Rights for either the grants thereof or from any future
exercise of the Stock Appreciation Rights.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN
AND THE STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
The following is a summary of the 2002 QSC Rewards Program of
McDonald's Corporation (the "Plan"). This summary does not address all of the
provisions of the Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Plan. We urge you to read the Plan because it, and not this summary, defines the
rights of the holders of Stock Appreciation Rights and the obligations of
McDonald's Corporation. A copy of the Plan is included as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. All references in
this prospectus to "we," "us" and "our" refer to McDonald's Corporation, all
references to "you" and "your" refer to those U.S. owners/operators eligible to
receive grants of Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to the Plan, and all
references to "grantees" refer to those U.S. owners/operators who receive grants
of Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to the Plan, unless the context reflects
otherwise.
Introduction
The Plan. The Plan was approved by our Board of Directors (the "Board")
on February 13, 2002, and provides for the grant of up to 10,000,000 stock
appreciation rights (the "Stock Appreciation Rights," or "SARs"). The Plan will
terminate on December 31, 2012, unless terminated earlier by the Board.
Termination of the Plan will not affect any Stock Appreciation Rights that are
outstanding on the date of termination.
SAR Grant Information. If you receive a grant of Stock Appreciation
Rights, we will provide you with information detailing, among other things, the
number of Stock Appreciation Rights you have been granted, their grant price,
their expiration date and the date on which they become exercisable. We refer to
this information as the SAR Grant Information.
Different provisions in specific grants of Stock Appreciation Rights.
The discussion below describes generally the Plan and the Stock Appreciation
Rights. The terms of your SARs may be different in one or more respects from the
terms described below. Any differences in the terms of your SARs will be
described in the SAR Grant Information provided to you at the time of your
grant.
What is our purpose in offering the Plan?
We benefit from the efforts, commitment and judgment of the
owners/operators of McDonald's restaurants. The Plan is designed to recognize
and reward the U.S. owners/operators whose organizations operate in the top 20%
of all organizations based on quality, service and cleanliness ("QSC") levels
and are providing the best customer experience. Under the Plan, we will grant
Stock Appreciation Rights to those U.S. owners/operators whose organizations
rank in the top 20% of our QSC levels, as determined by us. See "How are the
recipients of Stock Appreciation Rights determined?"
We believe the Plan will strengthen the U.S. owners/operators'
commitment to deliver the best customer experience by providing to them an
opportunity to benefit from any appreciation that may occur in
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the price of our common stock between the date the Stock Appreciation Rights are
granted, which we refer to as the Grant Date, and the date the grantee chooses
to exercise his or her Stock Appreciation Rights, which we refer to as the
Exercise Date.
What are Stock Appreciation Rights and why should you be interested?
You should be interested because Stock Appreciation Rights give you the
opportunity to benefit from any appreciation in the price of our common stock
between the Grant Date and the Exercise Date.
A Stock Appreciation Right is a right to receive a payment, which we
refer to as the Settlement Payment, in cash or in shares of our common stock in
an amount equal to the excess of (1) the Fair Market Value of one share of our
common stock on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised over (2) the
grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right. We will determine at the time the
Stock Appreciation Right is exercised whether we will pay the Settlement Payment
in cash or in shares of our common stock. If we pay the Settlement Payment in
stock, the number of shares we deliver to you will be equal to the Settlement
Payment divided by the Fair Market Value of a share of common stock on the
Exercise Date.
"Fair Market Value" of a share of our common stock means, as of any
applicable date, the closing price of our common stock at the close of normal
trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if no such sale of our common
stock shall have occurred on such date, on the next preceding date on which
there is such a sale.
Who is eligible to participate in the Plan?
You are eligible to participate in the Plan if you own/operate a
McDonald's restaurant located in the United States at both the beginning of a
measurement period and the end of that same measurement period. You do not need
to take any action to participate and there are no fees or other costs to you
for participation. We will automatically include each U.S. owner/operator in the
Plan. See "How are the recipients of Stock Appreciation Rights
determined?--Included and excluded restaurants, --Material Breach."
How are the recipients of Stock Appreciation Rights determined?
Organizations. For purposes of administering the Plan, we will divide
all of the McDonald's restaurants in the United States (other than those
restaurants owned by us) into organizations based on family or other significant
ownership relationships. Some restaurants may be assigned to an organization
that includes only one restaurant. Other organizations may include dozens of
restaurants. The assignment of a restaurant to an organization will be
determined by us in our sole discretion and will be for the sole purpose of
administering the Plan. Prior to the commencement of each measurement period (as
described below), we will inform each owner/operator which restaurants are
included in that owner/operator's organization.
Ranking. At the end of each measurement period, we will determine a
numerical score for each organization based on the measurement criteria
described below. Those organizations that rank in the top 20% based on their
numerical score will be deemed to be "Top 20% Organizations." The
owners/operators of these Top 20% Organizations will be granted 1,000 Stock
Appreciation Rights for each restaurant in their organization. See, however,
"--Included and excluded restaurants" and "--Material Breach."
If there is more than one owner/operator within a Top 20% Organization,
then the aggregate Stock Appreciation Rights to be granted will be divided
evenly among all the owners/operators within that organization, with each
owner/operator receiving an equal number of Stock Appreciation Rights; provided,
however, that if the owners/operators unanimously agree that a different
division more appropriately reflects
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the efforts that produced the organization's score, the Special Program
Committee, in its sole discretion, may agree to the revised division and grant
the Stock Appreciation Rights accordingly.
Measurement period. Unless the Special Program Committee determines
otherwise, each measurement period will be one year, beginning on April 1 of
each year and ending on March 31 of the following year. See "Who administers the
Plan?" If a measurement period is extended beyond one year or if a start date or
an end date is changed, we will notify you before the extension or change takes
effect. The first measurement period will begin on April 1, 2002. The Special
Program Committee will determine in its sole discretion whether to continue the
Plan after the completion of the first measurement period on March 31, 2003. If
the Plan is continued for one or more additional measurement periods, we will
notify you prior to the commencement of each additional measurement period.
Grants of Stock Appreciation Rights will generally be made approximately 90 days
after the end of each measurement period to allow for administrative processing.
No SARs may be granted under the Plan after December 31, 2012.
Measurement criteria. After the end of each measurement period, we will
determine a numerical score for each organization. This organizational score
will be equal to the average score received by all of the restaurants within
such organization. Restaurant scores will be determined by the weighted results
of the following three measurement tools which we will apply to each restaurant
during the measurement period:
Operations reviews: Four operations reviews will be conducted for
each restaurant during the measurement period. The operations
reviews will consist of one initial full operations review, one
follow-up full operations review and two short operations
reviews. We will provide a numerical score for each of the four
reviews based on the results of the Quality, Service and
Cleanliness portions of these reviews. These scores will then be
weighted so that each full operations review will count for 30%
of the operations review score and each short operations review
will count for 20% of the operations review score. The weighted
average of these four scores will count for 40% of the overall
restaurant score.
Mystery shops: Between twelve and twenty third-party assessments
of each restaurant's performance will be conducted during each
measurement period. The mystery shop assessments will measure
individual restaurant performance from the perspective of the
customer. The average of all mystery shop scores for the period
will count for 40% of the overall restaurant score.
Employee commitment: Employee satisfaction and commitment will be
measured for each restaurant during the measurement period based
on the results of an employee commitment survey and the People
Review section of the initial full operations review and the
follow-up full operations review for that measurement period. We
will provide a numerical score for each restaurant based on these
results. This score will count for 20% of the overall restaurant
score.
The application of the measurement tools to each restaurant will be
conducted by McDonald's or its designee and the resulting scores will be
determined by McDonald's, each in its sole discretion.
The Special Program Committee, in its sole discretion, may modify or
revise these measurement tools at any time; provided, however, the Special
Program Committee will provide notice to you prior to the effective date of any
such modification or revision.
Included and excluded restaurants. Prior to each April 1, we will
provide each owner/operator with a list of restaurants that are to be included
in such owner/operator's organization for the upcoming measurement period. Once
a measurement period has commenced, we will not add additional restaurants to an
organization. If a restaurant is not part of an organization for the entire
measurement period (e.g., the owner/operator sells the restaurant to or
purchases the restaurant from another person who is not included in the
owner/operator's organization, or a restaurant is newly-opened or permanently
closed during the measurement period), the
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numerical score for that restaurant will be excluded in calculating the overall
score for the organization for that measurement period, and that restaurant will
be excluded for purposes of determining the number of SARs to be granted, if
any. In addition, the numerical score for any restaurant that receives less than
75% of its scheduled operations reviews or less than 75% of its scheduled
mystery shops during the measurement period ("Minimum Requirements") will be
excluded in calculating the overall score for the organization for that
measurement period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Special Program Committee
may make appropriate adjustments or waive the Minimum Requirements, if it
determines, in its sole discretion, that a restaurant or group of restaurants
failed to receive reviews or assessments due to our administrative procedures.
See "--Measurement criteria."
Material breach. If we determine in our sole discretion that an
owner/operator is in material breach of his or her Franchise Agreement with
McDonald's at any point during a measurement period, that owner/operator will
not be eligible to be selected as a Top 20% Organization regardless of the
numerical score that the organization receives during the measurement period and
that owner/operator will not be eligible to receive Stock Appreciation Rights
under the Plan. Furthermore, if the owner/operator is deemed ineligible to
receive grants of SARs due to a material breach of his or her Franchise
Agreement then all other owner/operators whose restaurants are included in the
same organization as the disqualified owner/operator will be deemed ineligible
to receive SARs. If we determine that an owner/operator is not eligible to
receive Stock Appreciation Rights due to a material breach of his or her
Franchise Agreement, we will notify the owner/operator and all other
owner/operators in the same organization.
Special Program Committee. All determinations under the Plan will be
made by the Special Program Committee in its sole discretion. See "Who
administers the Plan?"
How is the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Rights determined?
The grant price will be the Fair Market Value of McDonald's common
stock on the Grant Date of the SARs. The grantee's SAR Grant Information will
specify the grant price of his or her Stock Appreciation Rights.
Does the grant of Stock Appreciation Rights provide the grantee with any
shareholder or owner/operator rights?
No. The grant of a Stock Appreciation Right is not a franchise contract
(or an amendment or supplement thereto) and does not provide any rights other
than the right to benefit from any appreciation in the price of our common stock
between the Grant Date and the Exercise Date.
Additionally, the grant of a Stock Appreciation Right does not give the
grantee any of the rights of a shareholder of McDonald's, including but not
limited to the right to vote or receive dividends, or any right to purchase the
shares of our common stock underlying the grantee's SARs.
When can a grantee exercise his or her Stock Appreciation Rights?
Vesting and expiration. Stock Appreciation Rights become vested and
exercisable on the first anniversary of the Grant Date so long as the grantee
remains an owner/operator through that date. See "Can a grantee exercise Stock
Appreciation Rights if the grantee no longer owns or operates a McDonald's
restaurant?" SARs expire on the fifth anniversary of the Grant Date. The
grantee's SAR Grant Information will state the Grant Date, the date the Stock
Appreciation Rights become exercisable and the date the Stock Appreciation
Rights expire.
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Early exercisability and extension of expiration date. The Special
Program Committee may decide, in its sole discretion, to allow certain Stock
Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan to become exercisable either earlier
than or later than the first anniversary of the Grant Date and/or to remain
exercisable past the fifth anniversary of the Grant Date. Any such variation
will be described in the relevant SAR Grant Information or in a letter from the
Special Program Committee to the grantee.
Automatic exercise. The grantee is solely responsible for monitoring
the exercisability and expiration of his or her Stock Appreciation Rights.
However, if a grantee has not exercised a Stock Appreciation Right by the close
of business on the day the SAR expires, we will deem the SAR to have been
exercised on the expiration date and will forward to the grantee the appropriate
Settlement Payment.
How does a grantee exercise his or her Stock Appreciation Rights?
The SAR Grant Information provided to the grantee at the time of the
grant of his or her Stock Appreciation Rights will include the forms necessary
to exercise the SARs as well as instructions as to how the forms are to be
completed and the procedures the grantee must follow.
Can a grantee exercise Stock Appreciation Rights if the grantee no longer owns
or operates a McDonald's restaurant?
Yes, if the Stock Appreciation Rights are vested on the date he or she
ceases to be an owner/operator. Except as provided below under "Material
Breach," a grantee who no longer owns or operates a McDonald's restaurant will
be able to continue to hold and to exercise his or her vested Stock Appreciation
Rights in accordance with the terms of the original grant as detailed in the
relevant SAR Grant Information. Except in the case of the grantee's death or
permanent disability, the grantee will forfeit any Stock Appreciation Rights
that are unvested on the date the grantee ceases to be an owner/operator.
Permanent disability or death. If a grantee becomes permanently
disabled or dies while holding either vested or unvested Stock Appreciation
Rights, the grantee or the grantee's estate will retain the Stock Appreciation
Rights and any unvested SARs will vest immediately. In the case of the grantee's
death, the SARs will become part of the grantee's estate and any transfer or
assignment will be subject to relevant state law.
Material Breach. If we determine in our sole discretion that there has
been a material breach by the grantee of the grantee's Franchise Agreement with
McDonald's, we may cancel the grantee's unexercised Stock Appreciation Rights,
whether vested or unvested, without compensation to the grantee. If we cancel a
grantee's unexercised Stock Appreciation Rights based on a material breach, we
will notify the grantee of the cancellation, provided that a notice of default
under the grantee's Franchise Agreement will satisfy this notice requirement.
Can McDonald's repurchase or cancel Stock Appreciation Rights without the
grantee's permission?
Notwithstanding any other statement in this prospectus, our Board may
elect at any time to repurchase any or all of the outstanding Stock Appreciation
Rights, upon a finding by the Board, in its sole discretion, that (A) there has
occurred a fundamental change of circumstances which frustrates the purpose of
the Plan or which makes it unlikely that the objectives of the Plan can be
achieved; or (B) it is necessary or appropriate to do so, in light of any change
to, or new interpretation of, any law, regulation or rule, including accounting
rules, applicable to the Plan that has an adverse affect upon the Company or
participants in the Plan. If we repurchase a Stock Appreciation Right, we will
cancel the Stock Appreciation Right and pay the holder the greater of either (A)
25% of the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right; or (B) the Settlement
Payment that
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would have otherwise been paid on the Stock Appreciation Right if it had been
exercised on the date of repurchase.
What happens to a grantee's Stock Appreciation Rights upon a merger or other
transaction involving McDonald's?
Mergers and Other Transactions. In case of a merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, spinoff or similar corporate transaction resulting in a
reclassification or other change in McDonald's common stock, an appropriate
adjustment will be made by the Special Program Committee to unexercised Stock
Appreciation Rights. The adjustment may include adjusting Stock Appreciation
Rights to constitute stock appreciation rights for the stock of the corporation
surviving the merger or transaction, or cancellation of the Stock Appreciation
Rights for cash or other property.
Complete Liquidation. Upon the complete liquidation of McDonald's, any
unexercised Stock Appreciation Rights will be cancelled, except as otherwise
provided above in connection with a merger, consolidation or reorganization of
McDonald's. Upon the approval of a plan of liquidation by the McDonald's
shareholders, the Special Program Committee, in its sole discretion, may
accelerate the exercisability of outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights.
How would Stock Appreciation Rights be affected by a split of McDonald's common
stock?
After a stock split or stock dividend, the Special Program Committee
will proportionately reduce the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Rights and
increase the number of Stock Appreciation Rights, to eliminate the effect of the
stock split on the value of those Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding at the
time of the stock split. Similarly, in case of a reverse stock split or stock
combination, the Special Program Committee will proportionately increase the
grant price of Stock Appreciation Rights and reduce the number of Stock
Appreciation Rights.
Can a grantee sell or transfer his or her Stock Appreciation Rights to someone
else?
No. A grantee cannot sell or transfer any Stock Appreciation Rights
granted under the Plan; provided, however, that SARs may be assigned or
transferred by will, intestate succession, or operation of law.
What is the United States federal income tax treatment of a Stock Appreciation
Right?
The following discussion is limited to United States federal income tax
laws applicable to recipients of the Stock Appreciation Rights who are either
citizens or residents of the United States. The discussion does not address the
possible impact of state or local taxes or the tax laws of other countries,
which may provide for different tax consequences to recipients of Stock
Appreciation Rights who are subject to such laws. Each grantee should consult
with his/her tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of Stock Appreciation
Rights, including the relevance to his/her particular situation of the
considerations discussed below.
General Rule. The grantee is responsible for all taxes associated with
the Stock Appreciation Rights. There are no immediate tax consequences to a
grantee as a result of his or her receipt of a grant of Stock Appreciation
Rights under the Plan. When a grantee exercises a Stock Appreciation Right he or
she will be required to recognize ordinary income equal to the value of the cash
or shares of common stock received pursuant to the exercise of the Stock
Appreciation Rights.
Tax Withholding and Reporting. McDonald's will not be required to
withhold federal income taxes or Social Security taxes from any amounts paid to
the grantee as a result of the grantee's exercise of a Stock
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Appreciation Right. A grantee who exercises a Stock Appreciation Right will
receive an IRS Form 1099 for the year of exercise reflecting the value of the
cash or shares of common stock received.
Effect on McDonald's. McDonald's is generally entitled to a tax
deduction in the same amount and in the same year in which the grantee
recognizes ordinary income resulting from the exercise of a Stock Appreciation
Right.
Investment Considerations
The market price of McDonalds's common stock has varied widely.
Moreover, the price of McDonald's common stock may increase after a grantee
exercises some or all of his or her Stock Appreciation Rights. Therefore,
grantees should consult with their financial advisors to determine the most
appropriate time for them to exercise their Stock Appreciation Rights.
Who administers the Plan?
The Plan is administered by the Special Program Committee located at
McDonald's principal executive offices. The Special Program Committee is
composed of officers of McDonald's appointed by the Board to serve on the
Special Program Committee at the pleasure of the Board. The Special Program
Committee may delegate certain of its administrative duties to officers and
employees of McDonald's or other persons or entities designated by it.
Subject to the express terms of each Stock Appreciation Right, the
Special Program Committee has full and final authority, in its discretion, to:
o determine the grant price of each Stock Appreciation Right, the
individuals to whom, and the time or times at which, Stock
Appreciation Rights are granted;
o interpret the Plan;
o make, amend, and cancel rules and regulations relating to the
Plan;
o determine the terms, provisions, restrictions and/or conditions
of each Stock Appreciation Right and, with your consent, to
modify such terms, provisions, restrictions or conditions; and
o make all other determinations for the administration of the Plan.
Our Board may, in its discretion, assume any of the administrative
responsibilities of the Special Program Committee and/or appoint another special
committee to administer all or portions of the Plan.
Can the Plan be modified?
The Special Program Committee can amend or modify the Plan or the terms
of any outstanding Stock Appreciation Right; provided, however, that except as
provided in the Plan no amendment or modification shall materially adversely
affect any previously-granted Stock Appreciation Rights without the consent of
the grantee.
9
How can a grantee find out about any special rules applicable to
specific grants of Stock Appreciation Rights that the grantee has received?
The special rules that apply to specific Stock Appreciation Rights may
be found in the SAR Grant Information provided to the grantee at the time of
each grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. Thereafter, any changes to the special
rules will be communicated in writing to the grantee by the Special Program
Committee.
10
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Stock Appreciation Rights will be granted directly by McDonald's to
selected U.S. owners/operators pursuant to the Plan. A copy of this prospectus
will be delivered by McDonald's to all U.S. owners/operators prior to the
commencement of the initial measurement period and to all new U.S.
owners/operators prior to the commencement of each subsequent measurement period
for which such new U.S. owners/operators will be eligible to receive Stock
Appreciation Rights.
LEGAL MATTERS
Gloria Santona, our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary will pass on the legality of the Stock Appreciation Rights being
offered by us and the shares of our common stock that may be issued upon the
exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights. Ms. Santona is a full-time employee of
ours and owns shares of our common stock directly and as a participant in
various employee benefit plans. Ms. Santona also holds options to purchase
shares of our common stock.
EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited McDonald's
consolidated financial statements included in McDonald's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, as set forth in their report, which
is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. McDonald's consolidated
financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young
LLP's report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
11
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No dealer, salesperson or other individual has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations not contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus in connection with the offering covered by this
prospectus. If given or made, such information or representations must not be
relied upon as having been authorized by McDonald's Corporation. This prospectus
does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the
Stock Appreciation Rights in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom,
it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of
this prospectus nor any offer or sale made hereunder shall, under any
circumstances, create an implication that there has not been any change in the
facts set forth in this prospectus or in the affairs of McDonald's Corporation
since the date hereof.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
McDONALD'S CORPORATION 1
USE OF PROCEEDS 3
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN AND THE STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS 3
Introduction 3
What is our purpose in offering the Plan? 3
What are Stock Appreciation Rights and why should you be interested? 4
Who is eligible to participate in the Plan? 4
How are the recipients of Stock Appreciation
Rights determined? 4
How is the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Rights determined? 6
Does the grant of Stock Appreciation Rights provide the grantee with
any shareholder or owner/operator rights? 6
When can a grantee exercise his or her Stock Appreciation Rights? 6
How does a grantee exercise his or her Stock Appreciation Rights? 7
Can a grantee exercise Stock Appreciation Rights if the grantee no
longer owns or operates a McDonald's restaurant? 7
Can McDonald's repurchase or cancel Stock Appreciation Rights without
the grantee's permission? 7
What happens to a grantee's Stock Appreciation Rights upon a merger
or other transaction involving McDonald's? 8
How would Stock Appreciation Rights be affected by a split of
McDonald's common stock? 8
Can a grantee sell or transfer his or her Stock Appreciation Rights
to someone else? 8
What is the United States federal income tax treatment of a Stock
Appreciation Right? 8
Investment Considerations 9
Who administers the Plan? 9
Can the Plan be modified? 9
How can a grantee find out about any special rules applicable
to specific grants of Stock Appreciation Rights that the
grantee has received? 10
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 11
LEGAL MATTERS 11
EXPERTS 11
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McDonald's Corporation
10,000,000
Stock Appreciation Rights
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
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P R O S P E C T U S
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March 15, 2002
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