Coalition of Franchisee Associations

April 25, 2016

Transcript of MCD Earnings Presentation Q1-16

Edited Transcript of MCD conference call 22-Apr-16
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McDonald's Puts U.S. Creative Account Into Review

McDonald's Puts U.S. Creative Account Into Review - AdAge
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Will "The Founder" Flounder?



The pre-release publicity for the movie "The Founder" is becoming pretty loud. Some McDonald's folks are looking forward to the movie, others are apprehensive. In my 
humble opinion - it's not going to be a big deal.

It appears the relationship between Ray Kroc and the McDonald brothers has been 
dramatized beyond reality as evidenced by the poster that shows the arches, Michael 
Keaton's profile, and the phrase "He took someone else's idea and America ate it up".
So much hype!

Maybe I'm a poor judge since these events predate my time at McDonald's but I've 
heard the stories, read the books, and knew many of the players. It just wasn't that 
exciting. Why would the (ever shrinking) movie going public be interested in 60 year
old business intrigue?

I'm a loyal Hewlett-Packard tech consumer. As national brands H-P and McDonald's
are about the same age. Do I care about any conflicts or traumas Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard went through in the early days of the company? Not a byte. Just give me good equipment at a fair price - same with my burgers.

Based on what we know thus far it appears that fans of McDonald's expecting a fair and accurate telling of McDonald's history will leave the theater disappointed. Or angry.

Me? I'll wait. Since The Founder will do poorly at the box office it won't take long for it 
to be available on Netflix.
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April 16, 2016

April 9, 2016

Labor Leaders Seek Minimum Wage Exemption

"Once again, the soaring rhetoric of helping the working poor is just a cover for city government acting as a tool of organized labor," 

L.A. labor leaders seek minimum wage exemption for firms with union workers - LA Times
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April 7, 2016

Fortune's Beth Kowitt on the McDonald's Board

McKenna's retirement ends a long era in which McDonald's suppliers held positions on
the McDonald's board of directors. It's easy to see the logic in this approach when the 
company was young and growing and all involved had an interest in building a strong 
system. That's when Fred Turner began using the "three legged stool" analogy.

But the supplier leg got shaky in the 1990s and let two successive CEO failures stay in 
the job far too long. It's was impossible for the board members to force changes when 
the CEO was one of their biggest (or only) customers.

After McKenna there does not appear to be any board members with a direct McDonald's supplier connection.

The retirement of McDonald’s non-executive chairman Andy McKenna next month is one of the biggest changes the company has made in years.
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April 6, 2016

World's Oldest McDonald's To Get Drive-Thru




World's Oldest McDonald's To Get Drive-Thru - Fortune
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Chairman Leaving McDonald's Board

When Wall Street Watchers discuss why a corporate CEO should not also be the
Chairman of the Board the example they often cite is the disastrous tenure of
Jack Greenberg as both Chairman and CEO of McDonald's. 

Any bets the still green CEO of McDonald's will become Chairman?

Andrew J. McKenna to Retire From McDonald's Board of Directors
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April 2, 2016

MCD Shares Close Week At Historical High


Two Views on $15 Minimum Wage

First the liberal - note in the second paragraph this writer says the Governors of New
York and California worked with legislators to make a minimum wage deal. That's
not true - the Governors negotiated with unions and the legislators in those states 
take orders from the unions.

How the $15 Minimum Wage Went From Laughable to Viable - The New York Times:

And this from someone who understands free enterprise.

From Townhall.com - Why not $100 p/hr?
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Skepticism Greets Chipotle 'Better Burger' Idea

On the Margin - from NRN
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