McDonald's® 'Shakes Things Up' With New McCafe Shakes® and the Return of the Shamrock Shake

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's® Restaurants announced plans to "shake things up" with the introduction of the McCafe Shake, which are currently available in restaurants and will change the way customers experience the traditional menu item. The McCafe Shake will feature the three classic milkshake flavors (chocolate, vanilla and strawberry) in a clear McCafe cup, topped with whipped cream and a cherry. (The announcement comes in conjunction with the return of the Shamrock Shake, which will be available to customers in stores March 1-31, with a portion of the proceeds from each Shamrock Shake sale benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®).)

To celebrate the McCafe Shake and the return of the Shamrock Shake, McDonald's will hold a McCafe Shake "Social" Fundraiser from March 1-17. During the fundraiser, customers can check-in on foursquare at any restaurant in the Philadelphia Region and send their check-in to Twitter with a @McDPhilly mention. For every check-in received, McDonald's will donate $1 to RMHC. Each customer who participates in the "social" fundraiser will receive a "Be Our Guest" coupon for a free McCafe Shake. Customers can also purchase a Shamrock Shake in the restaurants to make a donation.

"We are excited to introduce customers to the new McCafe Shake experience through our 'Social' fundraiser," said John Durante, president, McDonald's Restaurants of the Philadelphia Region Owner/Operator Association. "We are also encouraging our customers start checking-in on foursquare to support this terrific cause."

Social responsibility has been a fundamental part of McDonald's business for more than 50 years. With a shared history that dates back to McDonald's support in the creation of the first Ronald McDonald House in 1974 here in Philadelphia, McDonald's has supported RMHC and its mission to improve the health and well-being of children around the world. McDonald's also supports in-restaurant donation boxes to benefit RMHC. Demonstrating how every penny adds up, last year McDonald's customers raised nearly $20 million nationwide for RMHC through the in-restaurant donation boxes.

About McDonald's

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider 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 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. There are nearly 300 McDonald's restaurants in the Greater Philadelphia Region.  For more information on McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com or log on at any of the 10,000 Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. Visit www.mcstate.com for local restaurant, career and program information.  Follow us on Twitter @McDPhilly for the latest news, info, events and promotions, and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.

About RMHC

RMHC of the Philadelphia Region, Inc. grants hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to support local non-profit programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. In addition, RMHC supports four scholarship programs for high school seniors; the Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Delaware Ronald McDonald Houses; the St. Christopher's Foundation for Children Ronald McDonald Care Mobile; and 13 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in area hospitals.  The charity receives its support from McDonald's Corporation, McDonald's Owner/Operators, corporate donors and McDonald's customers.  For more information, visit www.rmhc.org.

SOURCE McDonald's