McDonald's(R) McRib(R) Sandwich Begins Farewell Tour

    SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The McRib Farewell Tour,
 celebrating the McDonald's McRib Sandwich, is making its way across the
 country.  Beginning today, McDonald's restaurants throughout the United States
 will give customers their last chance to experience the sizzling boneless pork
 rib patty topped with pickles, onions and tangy BBQ sauce on a special McRib
 bun.  Select cities in California, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, New
 Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia
 are hosting the McRib Farewell Tour.  For a complete list of tour stops visit
 www.mcrib.com.
     The farewell announcement comes as a surprise to customers who have come
 to love and expect the recurring availability of the McRib at their local
 McDonald's restaurant.  "Our customers will have the last chance to experience
 the savory taste of the McRib Sandwich and pay tribute to a part of McDonald's
 50-year history," stated McDonald's spokesperson, Jennifer Smith.  The McRib
 was first introduced at McDonald's Restaurants in 1982 as a promotional menu
 item and contributes to the 250,000,000 pounds of pork meat purchased by
 McDonald's each year.  The McRib Sandwich is scheduled for deletion from the
 McDonald's menu at the end of the McRib Farewell Tour.  "Ultimately it is our
 customers who determine what is on our menu. We have such a variety of
 options. We look forward to hearing what our customers think," added Smith.
     The McRib Farewell Tour '05 website is available at www.mcrib.com for
 customers who would like to get more information about the McRib Farewell
 Tour, including:  locations of McRib Farewell Tour stops, McRib Sandwich and
 pork trivia, and a place to sign a petition to keep the McRib Sandwich on the
 McDonald's menu.  Petitions may also be available at area McDonald's
 restaurants.
 
     McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading food service provided in the United
 States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to
 millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700
 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees.
 For more information on McDonald's visit McDonald's website at
 www.mcdonalds.com.
 
 

SOURCE  McDonald's USA, LLC