EXHIBIT 99.7
Dear fellow shareholder:
On behalf of McDonald's, let me wish you and your family a great holiday season
and prosperous new year.
I am pleased to tell you that we will be making certain changes to MCDirect
Shares--McDonald's direct stock purchase plan. These changes, effective January
1, 2000, will make it more convenient for investors to begin and build their
McDonald's share ownership. The Plan revisions include lowering certain MCDirect
Shares investment minimums, reducing the enrollment requirements for young
investors, eliminating the annual account fee and changing other Plan fees. In
addition, we will continue to offer all of the Plan's other popular features
such as dividend reinvestment; automatic monthly investments via direct
withdrawal from an account at a U.S. financial institution; purchasing and
selling shares on a daily basis when practical; and providing a share
safekeeping service.
You do not need to take any action to continue your participation in MCDirect
Shares as the new terms will automatically become effective on January 1, 2000.
Please review this material as it summarizes all the Plan changes.
On a final note, you should be aware that we recently announced that
McDonald's will pay dividends on an annual, instead of quarterly, basis
beginning in 2000. The change to an annual dividend cycle will reduce McDonald's
dividend payment processing costs.
Thank you for your support and loyalty as a customer and a shareholder.
Sincerely,
/s/ Jack M. Greenberg
Jack M. Greenberg
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
December 16, 1999
Highlights of Plan changes (effective January 1, 2000)
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. New young investor feature
Young investors with at least one share registered in custodial name under the
Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act can join MCDirect Shares. Or, a Plan
account can be opened for them with a $100 initial investment.
. Reduced enrollment criteria
Investors with at least 10 shares or those who make a $500 initial investment
or authorize automatic monthly investments of $50 or more can open a Plan
account.
. Lower investment minimums
Additional investments can be made for as little as $50.
. Flat-rate purchase fees
Plan purchase fees will be a simple flat-rate no matter how many shares are
purchased.
. Annual account and payroll deduction investment fees eliminated
Neither fee will be charged under the revised Plan terms.
MCDirect Shares revisions (effective January 1, 2000)
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Current Revised
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All Regular Custodial
accounts accounts accounts
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Enrollment criteria
Number of shares 25 10 1
Initial investment via check/wire $1,000 $ 500 $ 100
Automatic monthly investments $ 100 $ 50 $ 50
Payroll deduction investments $ 20 $ 20 $ 20
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Optional investments
Cash investment $ 100 $ 50 $ 50
Payroll deduction investment $ 20 $ 20 $ 20
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Plan fees
Enrollment fee $ 5.00 $ 5.00 $ 5.00
Cash investment via check/wire $ 5.00(1) $ 6.00 $ 6.00
Cash investment via automatic withdrawals $ 1.00(1) $ 1.50 $ 1.50
Investment via payroll deduction $ .25(1) $ 0 $ 0
Annual account fee $ 3.00 $ 0 $ 0
IRA annual fee (all IRA types) $35.00 $35.00 $35.00
IRA termination fee $50.00 $50.00 $50.00
Sales fee $10.00(1) $15.00(2) $15.00(2)
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(1) Plus $.10 per share
(2) Plus $.15 per share