Chicago Tribune: McDonald's Corp. expects to continue its momentum despite the recession, CEO Jim Skinner told shareholders at the company's annual meeting. Other topics included the company's position on national menu labeling legislation and its U.S. McCafe line launch. Don Thompson, head of McDonald's U.S. operations, said the nationwide launch of the company's McCafe coffee line has exceeded expectations. McDonald's president Ralph Alvarez said the company is open to federal legislation that would require menu board calorie counts — as long as it was a uniform standard that overruled state or municipal regulations. Click to continue
In related news, Reuters reports that McDonald's said it expects the addition of beverages ranging from coffee and cappuccino to water and sports drinks to eventually add $1 billion to annual sales.
The company said its associated bottled beverages push likely will focus on plain and flavored waters and sports drinks rather than energy drinks and carbonated beverages, while frappes and smoothies could be in stores by the latter half of next year.
