MEDIA RELEASE PR40900
McDonald's Corporation Announces Placement of RMB-Denominated Bonds
OAK BROOK, Ill., HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/--
McDonald's Corporation announced today that it has placed Renminbi
(RMB)-denominated bonds in a private placement to institutional and
professional investors in Hong Kong. The aggregate principal amount of the
bonds is RMB 200 million. The bonds will accrue interest at a rate of 3.00%
per annum and mature in three years.
The funds will provide working capital to support the growth of
McDonald's in China, including the opening of new restaurants.
Timothy Fenton, President of McDonald's APMEA (Asia/Pacific, Middle East
and Africa) said that this announcement is another sign of the company's
confidence in its long-term growth opportunities for China. "We are pleased
and honored that McDonald's is set to become the first issuer of
RMB-denominated bonds by a multinational company," said Fenton. "China is the
fastest-growing market for McDonald's worldwide in terms of new restaurant
openings."
Commenting on McDonald's operations in China, Kenneth Chan, CEO of
McDonald's China, said, "We are excited and confident about our continued
business growth in China." McDonald's plans to continue investing in China by
opening new restaurants, reimaging existing restaurants and rolling out
convenience initiatives. This year, McDonald's plans to open between 150-175
restaurants in China.
McDonald's has opened more than 1,100 stores in Mainland China since the
first restaurant opened on October 8, 1990 in Shenzhen. Today, McDonald's has
more than 60,000 employees in China.
McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than
32,000 local restaurants in more than 100 countries. Over 80% of McDonald's
restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by franchisees. Please visit our
The bonds have not been and will not be registered under the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and may not be offered or
sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from
the registration requirements of the Act.
The bonds have not been and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by
means of any document, other than (a) to "professional investors" as defined
in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules
made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result
in the document being a "prospectus" as defined in the Companies Ordinance
(Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public
within the meaning of that Ordinance. The arranger and lead manager in
respect of the issue of the bonds has not issued or had in its possession for
the purposes of issue, and will not issue or have in its possession for the
purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement,
invitation or document relating to the bonds, which is directed at, or the
contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong
Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong)
other than with respect to the bonds which are or are intended to be disposed
of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" as
defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and
any rules made under that Ordinance.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains certain forward-looking statements, which reflect
management's expectations regarding future events and operating performance
and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements
involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from our expectations are detailed in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as its
annual and quarterly reports and current reports on Form 8-K.
SOURCE McDonald's Corporation
CONTACT: Investors, Mary Kay Shaw, +1-630-623-7559, or Media, Lisa
Howard, +1-630-623-5044, both for McDonald's Corporation
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