McDonald's Increases Quarterly Dividend to $0.77 per Share

McDonald's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.77 pershare of common stock payable on December 17, 2012, to shareholders of recordat the close of business on December 3, 2012.  This represents a 10% increaseover the Company's previous quarterly dividend and brings the fourth quarterdividend payout to approximately $770 million. McDonald's Chief Executive Officer Don Thompson said, "Today's announceddividend increase brings our 2012 expected total cash return to shareholdersto at least $5.5 billion through dividends and share repurchases."Thompson continued, "McDonald's commitment to enhancing the customerexperience – from our menu and operations to our value and convenience –continues to move us closer to becoming our customers' favorite place and wayto eat and drink.  Our philosophy on the use of capital remains unchanged withour first priority being to reinvest in our business to drive sales and cashflow, while generating strong returns.  After these investment opportunities,we expect to return all of our free cash flow to shareholders over thelong-term through dividends and share repurchases.  Today's dividend increasedemonstrates our confidence in the long-term strength of our Brand and ourcommitment to enhancing shareholder value."