On this day in 1975, McDonald's opened its first drive-thru. The Sierra Vista, Ariz., restaurant closed in 1999 to make way for another McDonald's built next to it. The drive-thru is being torn down and replaced by a parking lot to serve the new McDonald's.
During the three-day grand opening, every 10th car received a free order and one person won a year's supply of Big Macs.
Olympic plan
OAK BROOK, Ill. — McDonald's unveiled four new Olympic-themed television advertisements that connect its "i'm lovin' it" brand that ties into the Winter Olympic Games. According to a news release, the new commercials complement McDonald's broader worldwide Olympic Games campaign to bring the games to life for its customers around the world in unique and exciting ways.
In the new global television commercials for the Torino 2006 games, McDonald's conveys the youthful spirit and optimism customers connect with the brand, as seen through the eyes of a young hopeful boy and the experiences of McDonald's Chief Happiness Officer Ronald McDonald. The new ads debut in conjunction with the start of the games on February 10 in the United States, and continue airing throughout the games-time period in other countries including Canada, China, Japan, Germany and other markets across Europe. In addition, the Ronald McDonald vignettes will run in movie theaters across the U.S. from Feb. 1-28 before G- and PG-rated movies.
Earnings
NEW YORK — McDonald's Corp. turned in a 53 percent jump in fourth-quarter earnings Tuesday and said it planned to spend $1.8 billion this year to open 800 new McDonald's restaurants. The restaurant operator posted fourth-quarter net income of $608.5 million, or 48 cents a share, compared to $397.9 million, or 31 cents a share in the year-ago quarter.
The company also said it expected to repurchase about $1 billion of its shares in the first quarter under a previously announced plan to spend $5 billion to $6 billion on repurchases and dividends in 2006 and 2007. Last week McDonald's forecast earnings of 48 cents per share, a penny above analysts' average estimate, including a reduction of 3 cents a share from asset impairment and the impact of the strengthening dollar.
Revenue increased 4 percent, to $5.23 billion, while sales at McDonald's restaurants open at least 13 months, or same-store sales, rose 4.2 percent.
