McDonald’s® Canada Introduces New Automatic Offering of Yogurt and Choice of Apple Slices or New Mini-sized French Fries in Every Happy Meal

TORONTO, ON (April 26, 2012) – McDonald’s Canada is giving its iconic Happy Meal a makeover and introducing a new automatic offering of yogurt and the choice of apple slices or new mini-sized French fries. The move is part of the company’s commitment to provide customers - especially its younger customers - with more nutrition-minded menu options.

“We’ve worked diligently to offer more variety in our Happy Meal so that the things kids love are also the things that parents can feel good about,” said John Betts, President and CEO of McDonald’s Canada. “By offering more balanced choices to choose from, we’re supporting parents in encouraging their children to enjoy foods that are good for them.”

“From Real Fruit Smoothies, to authentic espresso-based beverages, Canadians are truly embracing our McCafé brand and telling us they’re lovin’ it,” said John Betts, President and CEO of McDonald’s Canada. “Our continued focus is on building strong beverage credentials and on gaining a greater share of the very sizeable Canadian beverage market.”

The new Happy Meal will automatically include a Danino® strawberry yogurt, the choice of apple slices or new mini-sized French fries, along with the choice of a hamburger, cheeseburger, Chicken McNuggets®, or a Chicken Snack Wrap®, and choice of beverage, including 1% white or chocolate milk. The mini-sized French fries are approximately 31 grams, roughly half the size of the company’s small size French fries, and approximately 100 calories. In choosing apple slices, customers will get a full serving of fruit. A Danino® yogurt is a source of calcium and vitamin D. Complete nutrition information is available at the McDonald’s Canada online nutrition calculator.

“Parents want the very best for their kids and so do we,” added Betts. “We continue to take a holistic approach to nutrition and remain as committed as ever to bringing all of our customers delicious choices they can also feel good about.”

As part of the company’s ongoing and long-term efforts to reduce sodium levels, Chicken McNuggets, a Happy Meal favourite, now have 5.6% less sodium. McDonald’s Canada has reduced the sodium levels in 47 menu items since 2009 as well as introduced more nutrition-minded menu items than ever before, including Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, salads, Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfaits and the recently-introduced McCafé® Real Fruit Smoothies.

The Happy Meal was first introduced to Canada in 1994 and plays a central role in supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities® Canada. Ten cents from every single Happy Meal sold, every single day of the year, goes to the charity, which in turn supports Ronald McDonald Houses across the country.

Canadian households will receive a McDonald’s mailer, which will include a coupon for $2 off a Happy Meal, valid from May 7 to June 3, 2012. McDonald’s Canada has also worked with Danone® to include a coupon on the Happy Meal box, while supplies last, for one dollar off a six-pack of Danino® yogurt in retail stores across the country.

For more information on the new Happy Meal, please visit: .www.mcdonalds.ca.