McDonald's(R) Offers Chicago Commuters Free CTA, Metra and South Shore Transit Cards and Free Angus Third Pounders

September 21, 2009

McDonald's national 'Try Free, Ride Free' commuter program gives away thousands of complimentary commuter passes and thousands of free Angus Burgers to busy Chicagoland commuters

CHICAGO, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- CTA, Metra and South Shore (NICTD) commuters will board with more than they bargained for Wednesday, September 23 when McDonald's makes Chicago the fifth stop on its national "Try Free, Ride Free" tour.

In Chicago, the promotion includes distributing more than 5,000 pre-paid transit fare cards and 5,000+ coupons for free Angus Burgers to morning commuters at 10 CTA El, three Metra commuter rail and one South Shore rail stations throughout the Chicagoland area. Commuters arriving at these select stations during the morning rush hour will be greeted by McDonald's representatives handing out free coupons and fare cards, while supplies last.

The stations are:

CTA: 95th St. (Red Line), Addison (Red Line), Belmont (Red Line), Davis (Purple Line), Diversey (Brown/Purple Line), Fullerton (Red Line), Harlem (Green Line), Howard (Red Line), Jefferson Park (Blue Line), Pulaski (Orange Line)

Metra: Arlington Heights (45 W Northwest Hwy), Naperville (105 E 4th Ave), Tinley Park (6700 South St)

NICTD: Hammond, Ind. (4531 Hohman Ave)

"Whether it's with a free Angus Third Pounder or a free ride to work or play, McDonald's is thrilled to help brighten the days of our local customers," said Ron Lofton, president, McDonald's Owners of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (MOCNI). "With the "Try Free, Ride Free" program, we hope we can make the morning commute just a little less painful, and throw in a free lunch too."

Throughout September, McDonald's gave commuters in various metropolitan cities free transit passes, along with a coupon for a complimentary Angus Third Pounder. Other participating cities included: Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, and Washington, D.C. Details will be made public the day of or before each "Try Free, Ride Free" event. That information will be unveiled exclusively on www.mcdepk.com/TryFreeRideFree.

Below, find more information on all "Try Free, Ride Free" activities taking place across the country:

    --  Atlanta: McDonald's makes commuting a breeze for local Atlanta
        transit riders by offering complimentary one-way Breeze tickets and free
        Angus Third Pounders coupons. The idea for a commuter program originated
        from an Atlanta market initiative - the local effort was adopted by the
        Angus program and has since grown to become a national initiative.
    --  Baltimore: The Ravens won't be the only ones rushing when local
        Baltimore commuters discover McDonald's is treating them to free
        public transportation at the game and a coupon for a free Angus Third
        Pounder.
    --  Dallas: McDonald's visits "Beef Country" to catch up with
        hungry commuters along the city's expanding rail system.
    --  Denver: McDonald's plans to intercept Bronco fans boarding the
        Light Rail at three stations in the Denver Metro area - the first 1,200
        fans at each station will receive a roundtrip ticket to the game, as
        well as a coupon for a free Angus burger.

    --  Washington, D.C.: Commuters in the nation's capital will motion to
        proceed toward free commutes and Angus burgers on behalf of
        McDonald's.

McDonald's Angus Third Pounders marked McDonald's first new burger launch since the Big N' Tasty((R)) burger was added to the menu in 2001. Each Angus Third Pounder is made with a third-pound of juicy, 100-percent premium quality Angus beef (weight before cooking at least 5.33 oz; 151.1 grams) and fresh, savory ingredients on a toasted bakery-style sesame seed roll.

    --  Deluxe: Topped with creamy mayonnaise, yellow mustard, a thick slice of
        ripe red tomato, green leaf lettuce, rings of red onions, sliced dill
        pickles and slices of American cheese.
    --  Bacon & Cheese: Topped with zesty ketchup, yellow mustard, rings of
        red onions, sliced dill pickles, three full slices of bacon and slices
        of American cheese.

    --  Mushroom & Swiss: Topped with creamy mayonnaise, sauteed mushrooms
        and slices of natural Swiss cheese.

For detailed product information, visit www.mcdonalds.com/angus. All three of the Angus Third Pounders are offered as part of the Extra Value Meal((R)) at participating McDonald's.

About MOCNI

McDonald's Owners of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana represent more than 100 owner/operators and nearly 500 restaurants throughout the greater Chicagoland region, including stores as far north as Gurnee, west as Morengo, South as Watseka and east to Northwest Indiana. MOCNI manages and facilitates all marketing, sports, community relations, educational and philanthropic programs throughout the region, and is responsible for implementing and maintaining consistency at every Chicagoland restaurant.

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. 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.

(C)2009 McDonald's

SOURCE MOCNI