McDonalds 2005 Annual Report Download - page 7

price and promotion. If you've followed the evolution of the Plan to Win since we
introduced it in 2003, you know this is not a cookie-cutter plan. It is a flexible
approach to connect with our customers in each
individual community, to keep our System aligned
within markets and across borders, and to leverage
the many unique strengths of our System.
The Plan to Win works because it encourages us to
innovate across each of the five Ps...it works because
it allows us to adapt, evolve, and be relevant to our
people...and it works because it requires us to listen
to our customers and respond to what they want.
As part of sound financial management, we continue to evaluate the strengths of
our System to determine how we can maximize the value of our assets for the long-
term benefit of our shareholders. That’s why we were pleased with investor interest
in our recent initial public offering of a minority stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill. And
that’s why, as a learning organization, we listen to and evaluate ideas from our
shareholders. It’s our duty, however, to focus our energies on growing our business
for the long-term benefit of all shareholders and we evaluate new ideas with that
goal in mind.
Our Plan to Win has returned a total of approximately $4.3 billion to shareholders
through dividends and share buybacks since 2002 and, additionally, we expect to
return between $5 and $6 billion in 2006 and 2007 combined.
On behalf of all my colleagues throughout the McDonald’s System, I appreciate your
continued support. The opportunities ahead of us are great and our path to success
remains quite simple.
As long as we continue to deliver on our promises during what I call the “moment
of truth”—when we connect with each and every one of our customers across the
front counter or at the drive-thru window—we will successfully grow shareholder
value on your behalf.
Again, thank you for your continued trust in McDonald’s and our management team.
Sincerely,
Jim Skinner
Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
March 20, 2006
2005 McDonald’s 5
We continuously
evaluate the strengths
of our System to
determine how we
can maximize the
value of our assets for
the long-term benefit
of our shareholders.
DIVIDENDS
per common share in dollars
$.67
$.68
.51
.34
.17
01 02 03 04 05
The Plan to Win
works because
it requires us
to listen to our
customers and
respond to
what they want.
our new Asian Salad will debut
in the U.S. starting in April 2006