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Seventy McDonald's franchises in Northern California are carrying out an experiment that could have historical ramifications in the hamburger industry. The experiment involves how customers line up to make their orders. McDonald's is trying to determine if it should merge its multiple lines into one. Customers in the line would be able to order at the next available register. McDonald's franchisees throughout the US will be able to implement the idea if the experiment is successful.

When Jack M. Greenberg became president and CEO of McDonald's Corp. in August 1998, he sent out a company statement saying that he would shake up the fast-food industry in its entirety. The statement made Mr. Greenberg stand out in comparision to McDonald's three previous chiefs, whose main goal was to protect the formula that turned the company into the most popular restuarant in the world and at the same time expand the chain. However, Mr. Greenberg wants to change and grow simultaneously because of growing competition and health worries over fat and calories.

McDonald's Corp. will take a $235 million charge for its earnings during the second-quarter of 1998 in order to cover major changes in its offices and kitchens. The $235 million charge is the highest in McDonald's history. The charge is expected to amount to 33 cents a share and will mean a reduction in the company's results for the quarter by approximately 50%. However, savings should add some cents a share to McDonald's earnings for 1999.

This article discusses the ascent of Ralph Alvarez as the No. 2 executive at McDonald's Corp. Alvarez's climb up the corporate ladder isn't the usual long story beginning with him flipping burgers as a teenager. Alvarez has only been with the company for 12 years, including a 2-year hiatus for having a relationship with a female McDonald's employee in 1996. Alvarez is credited with helping to turn McDonald's around over the past few years.

The article focuses on the growth opportunities presented to U.S. franchise companies overseas. Curves International Inc. and Subway have announced double-digit expansion abroad, while McDonald's Corp. has opened 286 units abroad in 2009. The third party entrepreneurs or business groups that U.S. franchisers often rely on overseas usually bankroll the operation themselves. The reasons behind overseas investors' interest in U.S. chains are also cited.

The article reports on the additional expenditures paid by franchisees. McDonald's Corp. previously reimbursed architectural and engineering improvements done on a franchised restaurant. However, the new systemwide beverage undertaking will only be remunerated by 40%. The Hollywood Tans LLC franchisees also complain of reclassifying equipment maintenance cost and delayed response of maintenance staff. The United Parcel Service Inc. revised the policy on its money-back guarantee packages affecting the profitability of its franchisees.

The article reports on the Dollar Menu of McDonald's Corp. which creates nuisance among franchisees. According to it, the cheap meals under the menu are a concern particularly the Double Cheeseburger whose profit margin is squeezed by increasing cheese prices. It mentions that some owner/operators have taken the Double Cheeseburger off their Dollar Menus due to worries about cash flow.

The article reports on the initiative of McDonald's Corp. to redefine the word "McJob," which means boring and low-paying job with few prospects. In the U.S., McDonald's employees are presented with health insurance coverage, English-language classes and other life-enhancing skills while in Great Britain, the benefits of working with the company are defined on posters such as flexible hours and educational training. The organization has also created a job-hiring tool that would help in the selection process.

The article reports on the plan of McDonald's Corp. give away samples of its new Southern-style chicken sandwiches which coincides with the arrival of economic-stimulus checks from the U.S. government. The firm mentioned the use of giveaways to become effective in a weak economy. Dunkin' Donuts will also conduct a sampling of its doughnuts to customers who buy a cup of coffee on April 15, 2008, which is the deadline for federal tax-return filings. The use of free samples by McDonald's to increase awareness of its new products is recalled.

The article deals with the plans of Burger King Corp. to introduce a $1 double cheeseburger. The larger double cheeseburger at a discounted rate is designed to challenge the best-selling items of rival fastfood chain, McDonald's Corp. Some of the franchisees of Burger King have revealed that they have been selling double cheeseburgers for 99 cents for several weeks. Russ Klein, global marketing strategy and innovation president of Burger King, offers information on the double digit disadvantage of Burger King to rivals, McDonald's and Wendy's.

The article announces the appointment of Peter J. Bensen as chief financial officer of McDonald's Corp.

The article focuses on the issues surrounding McDonald's Corp. regarding its Dollar Menu. McDonald's franchisees claim that the inclusion of the Double Cheeseburger in the Dollar Menu is not profitable for them. Some of them are now charging more for the product. Don Armstrong, head of McDonald's National Leadership Council of franchisees, urges the company to establish new approaches to attract and retain customers.

The article reports on the profits posted by Oak Brook, Illinois-based McDonald's Corp. in the third quarter of 2007. The fast-food company reported a 27% increase in its third-quarter earnings. The results included a gain of $67.5 million from the sale of its Boston Market unit. The company's shares declined by 37 cents to $56.42 in the New York Stock Exchange composite trading on October 19, 2007.

The article reports on the plan of McDonald's Corp. to improve the nutritional composition of its Happy Meals offering as part of the company's participation in battling childhood obesity and related issues. One of the key components in enhancing the nutritional composition of Happy Meals is reducing the sodium content of Chicken McNuggets. The article also mentions the calories contained in the fast-food chain's hamburger, fries and milk.

The article reports on the increase in the number of customer complaints against McDonald's Corp. in 2006.

This article reports on profits posted by McDonald's Corp. in the fourth quarter of 2006.

The article reports on the growth in sales and earnings posted by fast-food chain McDonald's Corp.

Reports on the increase in the second-quarter per-share earnings of fast-food restaurant chain McDonald's Corp. in 2006.

Reports on the concerns of McDonald's Corp. over the breakfast and chicken sandwiches offerings of Wendy's International Inc.

Focuses on the efforts of fast food company McDonald's Corp. to promote recreational activities and physical exercise as of May 27, 2004.

Reports that McDonald Corp's CEO Jim Cantalupo died on April 19 of a sudden heart attack. Details of his death; Role of Cantalupo in guidign McDonald's toward healthier foods; Appointment of Charlie Bell as Cantalupo's replacement; Details of Cantalupo's career with McDonald's; Challenges facing Bell.

Reports on the plan of McDonald's Corp. to offer bunless versions of its beef and chicken sandwiches in restaurants across the U.S.

Reports on the plan of fast-food chain McDonald's Corp. to eliminate Super Size french fries and softdrinks from its menu, as of March 2004.

Reports news on campaign plans of McDonald's Corp. to regain customers and investors as of April 8, 2003.

Reports on the plans of McDonald's Corp. in remodelling its fast-food outlets in the U.S. as of September 25, 2002.

Reports on the customer complaints received by McDonald's Corp.

Reports on the possibility that McDonald's Corp. will put its restaurants into a real-estate investment trust following a tax-law change in the United States.

Focuses on McDonald's Corp. marketing strategy in Yugoslavia at the time of the spring 1999 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) air war. Response to animosity toward a United States company; Contribution of managing director Dragoljub Jakic to the strategy; History of McDonald's presence in Belgrade.

Reports that McDonald's Corp. is installing computers that can take a customer's order automatically. Plans to use the machines in McDonald's franchises across the United States by the end of 1999; Indications that customers buy more food when using the automatic ordering machines.

Reports the decision of McDonald's Corp. to stop buying beef from a United States packing plant that failed to meet its standards for processing cattle. Move of the company to raise its standard in meat processing from its suppliers; Program of the company that required it to raise its standards on meat processing; Details on the issue.

Focuses on negotiations broken off by the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an animal rights group, with McDonald's over better treatment of farm animals. Information on a fire that destroyed McDonald's in Antwerp, Belgium; McDonald's hiring of Temple Grandin as consultant; Agenda of PETA.

Offers a look at the 1999 second quarter earnings of McDonald's Corp., the food-chain company in Oak Brook, Illinois. Factors that strengthened the company's overseas business; Net income; Shares; Operating earnings; Revenue; Promotional successes.

States that McDonald's Corp. gave Chief Executive Officer Jack M. Greenberg the additional title of chairman. Accomplishments of Greenberg; Speech of Michael R. Quinlan in relinquishing his title to Greenberg; Plans of Greenberg for the company.

Reports the opening of the 25,000th store of MacDonald's Corp. in Bronzeville, Chicago. Celebration plans of Ray Kroc, founder of the company for the opening; Challenges encountered by the company during its growth; Other food services companies that reported growth in branches.

Reports that McDonald's Corp. has agreed to acquire Donatos Pizza Inc. Annual sales of the companies; Comments from Jack Greenberg, chief executive officer of McDonald's.

Focuses on the increase in 1999 first-quarter earnings of McDonald's Corp. Total net income of the company; Decline of the company's stock price; How Russia and Brazil affect the earnings of the company; Reactions of analysts on the earnings of the company.

Reports that McDonald's Corp. is obligated to explore opportunities beyond selling hamburgers. Comment from Jack M. Greenberg, chief executive of the company; Details on the expansion plan of the firm.

Reveals that McDonald's Corp. plans to let Wall Street securities analysts work in their stores for a day in order to give them a close-up view of its cooking system which makes hamburgers and other meals to order. Why McDonald's has switched to this cooking system; The risk the company takes in bringing in analysts; Reaction by some of the 100 analysts that will take part in the program.

Focuses on the views Michael R. Quinlan, chief executive officer (CEO) of MacDonald Corporation. Information on the sales of the company; Background information on Quinlan; How sales improved since Quinlan became CEO.

Reports that McDonald's Corporation recorded an annual per-share earnings growth target of 10 to 15 percent, which is broad enough to embrace uncertainties. Remarks by Vice Chairman, Jack M. Greenberg; Statistical information on McDonald's per-share earnings for the first nine months of 1997; Wall Street's estimation of McDonald's growth rate for the full year.

Focuses on an advertising campaign by McDonald. Medium being used to feature the advertisements; Features of the advertisements; Reinhard's optimism about the advertisements; Role being played by Keith Reinhard of McDonald and some DDB Needham cohorts in the launching of the advertisements.

Reports on the plans McDonald's Corporation has on improving profit growth while imposing a hiring freeze. Introduction of `value' pricing; What the company expects its per-share earnings growth to be through the year 2002; Details on the company's per-share earnings for 1997 compared to 1996.

Reports on a weak profit by the McDonald's Corporation for the third quarter of 1997. Total net income of the company per share; Expansion plans of the company; Detailed financial information on the company.

Reports that McDonald's will launch an advertising campaign on October 2, 1997. Who the campaign is targeting; Details on the advertisements; Comments from Brad Ball, senior vice president of marketing at McDonald's in the United States.

Reports that McDonald's Corporation of New York is assessing whether to drop the Arch Deluxe `adult' hamburger from its menu. Factor which contributed to the review of the hamburger; Details on the issue as reported.

Reports that customers of Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated of Bentonville, Arkansas, can order a burger and fries as they check out their purchases. Venture between Wal-Mart and McDonald's Corporation; How the service works; Comments from Dean Barrett, McDonald's marketing vice president.

Reports on a 4 percent increase in the 1997 second-quarter profit for McDonald's Corporation. Effects of United States marketing efforts and international performance on this profit; Statistical information on the company's earnings; Comments from Damon Brundage, NatWest Securities restaurant analyst.

Reports on the changes made at the managerial level at McDonald's Corporation. Reasons for the changes; Reference to the departing executives of the company; Appointment of Patrick Flynn as head of strategic planning; Information on the responsibilities of Claire Babrowski, senior vice president of operations.

Reports that McDonald's Corporation is expected to announce a management shakeup on July 09, 1997. Who might be involved in the announcement; Plans of McDonald's to name five new division presidents; Details on McDonald's shake-up plans.

Details the impact of a decision by McDonald's Corporation to withdraw a United States marketing campaign, on Wall Street analysts. Impact of the withdrawal on profit estimates; Objective of McDonald's campaign; Performance of McDonald's shares on the New York Stock Exchange; Assessment of McDonald's United States divisions; Comments by Mitchell J. Speiser, an analyst at Lehman Brothers.