McDonald's(R) USA Names Tyson Foods, Inc. 2010 U.S. Supplier of the Year

OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwire - October 20, 2010) -  McDonald's USA recently announced it has selected Tyson Foods Inc., a trusted poultry supplier for many of McDonald's restaurants, as the 2010 Supplier of the Year. McDonald's unveiled the U.S. Supplier of the Year Award at the recent U.S. Supplier Summit, an annual gathering of key U.S. McDonald's suppliers and distributors, held in Schaumburg, near its Oak Brook, Ill. headquarters.

As a McDonald's supplier for nearly 30 years, Tyson Foods won the Supplier of the Year Award for taking the initiative to implement a highly effective cost mitigation and savings program for McDonald's, and playing a leading role in many other areas, including sustainable supply, and the development of quality and food safety standards. This is the first time Tyson Foods has been honored as McDonald's Supplier of the Year.

"Tyson Foods is looked upon as a trusted and strategic provider by the McDonald's brand and our franchisee community," said Dan Gorsky, Sr. Vice President, McDonald's North America Supply Chain. "They stand as the epitome of all the qualities we look for in our best suppliers, from leadership, partnership and teamwork to quality and innovation."

"We value our relationship with McDonald's and are grateful they have chosen to recognize our efforts with this prestigious honor," said Devin Cole, Tyson Foods senior vice president and general manager of the McDonald's business unit. "Our Tyson team members work hard every day on behalf of McDonald's and we look forward to demonstrating our continued commitment."

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.

About Tyson Foods, Inc. 
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 90 countries. The company has approximately 117,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

About McDonald's
McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome food made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,000 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.

© 2010 McDonald's

Contact Information:

CONTACT:
Ashlee Yingling
McDonald's USA
ashlee.yingling@us.mcd.com
630.623.7897

Gary Mickelson
Tyson Foods, Inc.
gary.mickelson@tyson.com
479-290-6111