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Dean Foods named as McDonald's Supplier of the Year

September 29, 2011

McDonald's USA has selected Dean Foods, a dairy supplier for many McDonald's restaurants, as its 2011 U.S. Supplier of the Year.

McDonald's revealed the U.S. Supplier of the Year Award at its recent U.S. Supplier Summit, an annual gathering of key U.S. McDonald's suppliers and distributors, held in Schaumburg, Ill., near the company's Oak Brook, Ill. headquarters.

Dean Foods, a McDonald's supplier for many years, won the award for implementing innovative products, initiating management programs, including playing a leading role in corporate quality assurance, and for its development of long-term sustainability technologies.

This is the first time Dean Foods has been honored as McDonald's Supplier of the Year.

"Dean Foods is a dedicated provider to the McDonald's brand and our franchisee community," said Dan Gorsky, SVP, McDonald's North America Supply Chain. "Their continuous efforts to improve productivity and create alignment between our two businesses make Dean Foods one of our most valued suppliers."

The McDonald's U.S. Supplier of the Year Award is presented annually to the food, paper or product supplier that makes the most significant impact on, and contribution to, McDonald's U.S. business results from the previous year. The award criteria include commitment to quality and food safety, product, equipment and process innovation, exemplary customer service and value.

"We are thankful to be recognized by McDonald's with this prestigious honor," said Kevin Yost, President of the Morningstar division of Dean Foods. "We're proud of our longstanding relationship with McDonald's and we will continue our efforts to surpass their expectations."

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