MCDONALDS CORP — Annual Report 2021

Jun 17, 2021

11-K 1 d169425d11k.htm 11-K 11-K

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 11-K

FOR ANNUAL REPORTS OF EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE, SAVINGS AND

SIMILAR PLANS PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Mark One)

☒ Annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

Or

☐ Transition report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 001-5231

A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below.

McDonald’s Corporation 401(k) Plan

(formerly known as McDonald’s 401k Plan)

B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office.

McDonald’s Corporation

110 North Carpenter Street

Chicago, Illinois 60607

Table of Contents

McDONALD’S CORPORATION 401(k) PLAN

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2020 and 2019

CONTENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM	2
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS AS OF DECEMBER
31, 2020 AND AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019	3
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2020	4
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	5
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i – SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF
YEAR)	13
EXHIBITS	16
SIGNATURE
EXHIBIT 23.1 – CONSENT OF CROWE LLP

Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Plan Participants and 401(k) Plan Administrative Committee of the McDonald’s Corporation 401(k) Plan Chicago, Illinois

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the McDonald’s Corporation 401(k) Plan (formerly McDonald’s 401k Plan) (the “Plan”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Plan’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Plan in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Plan is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Supplemental Information

The supplemental Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of December 31, 2020 has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the McDonald’s Corporation 401(k) Plan’s financial statements. The supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the information presented in the supplemental schedule reconciles to the financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable, and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the supplemental schedule. In forming our opinion on the supplemental schedule, we evaluated whether the supplemental schedule, including its form and content, is presented in conformity with the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In our opinion, the supplemental schedule is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements as a whole.

/s/ Crowe LLP

We have served as the Plan’s auditor since 2007.

Oak Brook, Illinois

June 16, 2021

2.

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McDONALD’S CORPORATION 401(k) PLAN

STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS

December 31, 2020 and 2019

(Amounts in thousands)

	2020
ASSETS
Investments, at fair value
Cash	$ 402	$	602
US Treasury securities	19,174		27,511
Option Contracts	(136	)	(592	)
ETF	57,169		89,284
McDonald’s Corporation common stock	1,507,382		1,558,819
Collective funds	1,694,481		1,505,315
Total investments, at fair value	3,278,472		3,180,939
Investments, at contract value	437,080		385,527
Total investments	3,715,552		3,566,466
Receivables
Participant contributions	14		4
Company contributions	1,892		1,499
Accrued income	10		106
Other receivables	—		15,190
Interfund receivables	—		1
Participant loans	24,366		20,987
Total receivables	26,282		37,787
Total assets	3,741,834		3,604,253
LIABILITIES
Management expenses payable	350		429
Other liabilities	1,851		270
Total liabilities	2,201		699
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS	$ 3,739,633	$	3,603,554

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

3.

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McDONALD’S CORPORATION 401(k) PLAN

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS

Year ended December 31, 2020

(Amounts in thousands)

	2020
Additions to net assets attributed to:
Net appreciation in fair value of investments	$ 320,688
Interest income	11,765
Dividends	37,532
Net investment income	369,985
Contributions
Company	32,315
Participant	52,316
Rollovers	8,670
Total contributions	93,301
Participant loan interest income	1,105
	—
Total net additions	464,391
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
Benefits paid to terminated participants and withdrawals	326,002
Management and administrative expenses	2,310
Total deductions	328,312
Net Increase (decrease)	136,079
Net assets available for benefits
Beginning of year	3,603,554
End of year	$ 3,739,633

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

4.

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McDONALD’S CORPORATION 401(k) PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2020 and 2019

NOTE 1 - DESCRIPTION OF PLAN

General : The McDonald’s Corporation 401(k) Plan (the Plan - formerly McDonald’s 401k Plan) is administered by a committee of officers (the Administrative Committee) appointed by the Executive Vice President - Chief People Officer of McDonald’s Corporation (the Company or McDonald’s). Fiduciary Counselors oversees the McDonald’s Common Stock Fund and the McDonald’s ESOP Stock Fund under the Plan. Participants should refer to the Summary Plan Description and Prospectus for a complete description and up-to-date information. The Plan was amended and restated on January 1, 2020 to appoint Empower Retirement as the recordkeeper. The Plan was further amended on December 21, 2020 to allow Roth contributions and hardship withdrawals, to implement a 20% cap on balance transfers into the Company Stock Fund, and to make revisions related to certain Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act) provisions.

Eligibility : In order to participate in the 401(k) feature of the Plan, all eligible employees must be at least 21 years of age, have a valid Social Security number, and be on the U.S. payroll of the Company or a participating employer. For purposes of the eligibility and contribution description below, the term “Company” includes McDonald’s Corporation and all participating employers.

Restaurant management employees and staff employees, (including part-time staff employees) are eligible to make 401(k) contributions, up to 50% of eligible compensation, beginning the first day of the month after completing one full calendar month of employment. Vice Presidents and above, crew employees and interns are eligible to make 401(k) contributions after one year of eligibility service as defined by the Plan document. Restaurant management employees, who are not contributing to the Plan, are enrolled automatically at a 1% contribution level as soon as they have completed one year of service and attained age 21. Matching contributions are provided to eligible employees after one year of eligibility service as defined by the Plan document.

Contributions : Each year, participants may contribute up to 50% of their eligible pre-tax annual compensation, as defined by the Plan subject to Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) annual limits. Highly compensated employees under IRS rules are not able to make 401(k) contributions in their second calendar year of employment until the first of the month on or after they complete one anniversary year with at least 1,000 hours of service under the Plan.

Participants who have attained age 50 before the end of the Plan year are eligible to make catch-up contributions subject to IRS limits, and in addition, may contribute more than 50% if payroll tax and other withholding requirements are met. In accordance with Plan procedures, participants may roll over money into the Plan if it is from a Qualified Plan, Section 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity plan, Section 457 deferred compensation plan of a state or local government entity, SIMPLE 401(k) plan, Section 403(a) annuity plan, Traditional IRA, SIMPLE IRA with at least two years participation, IRA set up to receive a distribution from an eligible employer plan or Federal thrift plan under section 7701(j).

Participants direct the investment of their contributions and Company contributions into various investment options offered by the Plan. The investment funds under the Plan are the Growth Fund, Income Fund, Inflation Strategy Fund, Capital Preservation Fund, Large Cap Equity Index Fund, Small & Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, International Equity Index Fund, Bond Index Fund, Index Retirement Income Fund, Index 2010 Retirement Solutions Fund, Index 2015 Retirement Solutions Fund, Index 2020 Retirement Solutions Fund, Index 2025 Retirement Solutions Fund, Index 2030 Retirement Solutions Fund, Index 2035 Retirement Solutions Fund, Index 2040 Retirement Solutions Fund, Index 2045 Retirement Solutions Fund, Index 2050 Retirement Solutions Fund, Index 2055 Retirement Solutions Fund, Index 2060 Retirement Solutions Fund, McDonald’s Common Stock Fund, and the McDonald’s ESOP Stock Fund. No more than 20% of a participant’s future 401(k) contributions may be invested in the McDonald’s Common Stock Fund. (Index 2010 Retirement Fund closed on September 26, 2020, and funds were moved to Index Retirement Income Fund).

The Company matches (after one year of eligibility service and attainment of age 21) $1 for every $1 of contributions to the Plan, up to a maximum of 6% of eligible compensation (as defined by the Plan).

(continued)
5.

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McDONALD’S CORPORATION 401(k) PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2020 and 2019

NOTE 1 - DESCRIPTION OF PLAN (Continued)

A “true-up” calculation will be performed at the end of each calendar year and will be posted to participant accounts in January of the following year. Forfeitures, to the extent available, are used to offset a portion of the Company match. Forfeitures of $72,000 and $217,000, were used to offset the Company match as of December 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

Participant Accounts : Participants can elect, on a daily basis, to have their account balances, as well as future deferrals and Company contributions, invested in 1% increments in one or any combination of the Plan’s investment funds, including Company stock. A participant may change how his/her existing account balance is invested at any time, but a participant may not transfer any amount into and out of the same fund more than two times within any calendar quarter. Participants are always able to transfer out of any fund into the Capital Preservation Fund even if they exceed this limit. Effective July 1, 2019, for participants who are automatically enrolled, all contributions to the Plan, both participant and Company contributions, are invested in the age appropriate target date fund for participants that do not make an investment election. Effective October 1, 2020, a 20% cap was added to Company stock for all future contributions.

Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contribution and allocations of (a) the Company’s matching contribution and true-up match (if any) and (b) Plan earnings, and charged with an allocated portion of investment expenses. Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances as defined in the Plan.

Vesting : All participants’ accounts under the Plan are 100% vested.

Diversification : All participants can elect to fully diversify all accounts in the Plan.

Loans : Participants may borrow from their fund accounts a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their vested balance reduced by the participants’ highest outstanding loan balance during the preceding 12-month period. All loans are currently subject to a $75 processing fee. Loan terms range from 12 months up to 5 years. In 2020, the ability to take a second loan was added. The loans are secured by the balance in the participant’s account and bear interest based on the prime rate in effect on the first day of the month in which the loan is requested, plus 1%. Principal and interest are paid ratably through payroll deductions. If a participant terminates with an unpaid loan exceeding $1,000 and does not take a full distribution, the participant has 90 days to pay off the loan in full or elect to use the direct debit feature and continue to make monthly payments for the remaining loan term.

Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) : QDROs received will undergo a QDRO review and will be charged a processing fee of $300 for each QDRO. The $300 fee will be subtracted from the divorced participant’s account unless the QDRO states the fee is to be split between the participant and the alternate payee.

Payment of Benefits : Participants who terminate their employment with the Company and all other companies or entities that are owned or controlled 80% or more by the Company are entitled to receive the balance in their Plan accounts within a reasonable time following their termination. A terminated participant with benefits in excess of $1,000 will not receive a distribution from the Plan until age 72 unless an earlier distribution is elected.

Such accounts will continue to share in the allocation of investment income, and accounts will continue to be invested in accordance with the participant’s investment elections (See Note 1, Contributions).

Distributions may be in the form of a lump sum or installment payments or a combination of lump sum and installment payments. Participants who terminate employment after satisfying the requirements to make deferrals and are subsequently rehired can resume making deferrals as soon as administratively feasible. There is an express delivery shipping fee of $25 effective January 1, 2020. Fees will be deducted from the payment or from the remaining account balance.

(continued)
6.

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McDONALD’S CORPORATION 401(k) PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2020 and 2019

NOTE 1 - DESCRIPTION OF PLAN (Continued)

In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the CARES Act. The CARES Act allows access to retirement savings and suspension of required minimum distributions. The Plan adopted the CARES ACT provisions permitting coronavirus-related distributions up to $100,000 per individual, suspension of loan payments through the end of 2020, and suspension of required minimum distributions in 2020.

Forfeitures : Amounts unclaimed for two years are considered forfeitures. These forfeitures, resulting from unclaimed amounts, are used to make a portion of the Company contribution.

In-Service Withdrawals : Participants 59 1 ⁄ 2 or older and terminated participants may withdraw all or any part of their account balances under the Plan at any time. Participants may also withdraw up to 100% of their ESOP, Profit Sharing, Investment Savings, Stock Sharing, and Rollover accounts at any time.

Pass Through Dividend Election : Participants may choose whether dividends earned on shares of McDonald’s common stock will be paid directly to them in cash or reinvested in their accounts in Company stock.

Voting : Participants may direct the Trustee to vote shares of Company stock credited to their accounts as well as those shares not voted by other participants.

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Accounting : The financial statements of the Plan are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting.

Use of Estimates : The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Administrative Committee to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassification : Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation due to the Leveraged ESOP loan expiring and being paid in full in 2018. 2019 balance sheet amounts were consolidated as all investments are participant directed.

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition : Other than fully benefit-responsive investment contracts which are valued at contract value, the Plan’s investments are reported at fair value. Net appreciation includes the Plan’s gains and losses on investments bought and sold as well as held during the year. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Fair value is the price that would be received by the Plan for an asset or paid by the Plan to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date in the Plan’s principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Fair value measurements are determined by maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The hierarchy places the highest priority on unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and gives the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).

The three levels of inputs within the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:

• Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

(continued)
7.

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McDONALD’S CORPORATION 401(k) PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2020 and 2019

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

• Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

• Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect the Plan’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

In some cases, a valuation technique used to measure fair value may include inputs from multiple levels of the fair value hierarchy. The lowest level of significant input determines the placement of the entire fair value measurement in the hierarchy.

The following are descriptions of the valuation methods and assumptions used for investments of the Plan.

Cash: Interest Bearing Cash held at Northern Trust is valued at quoted market prices (level 1 inputs).

U.S. Treasury Securities : Treasury securities are priced by a pricing vendor on the basis of bid or mid evaluations according to a region’s market convention using factors which include but are not limited to market quotations, yields, and maturities. The pricing vendors use proprietary methods to arrive at the evaluated price (level 2). These prices represent the price a dealer would pay for a security (typically in an institutional round lot).

Option Contracts: This asset type includes put and call options on Bonds, Commodities, Equities, Equity Index, Note/Bond Swap Futures, Over-The-Counter (OTC) Commodities, OTC Debt, OTC Equity Index and OTC Equity Options. Exchange trade options and futures are priced using an exchange disseminated price at the end of the trading day (level 1).

ETF: An exchange-traded fund that holds assets such as stock, commodities, or bonds and is designed to trade close to its net asset value. The fair values of exchanges traded funds are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges. (level 1).

McDonald’s common stock : The fair values of publicly traded common stocks are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (level 1).

Collective trusts : The fair values of investments in collective trusts are valued as determined by the custodian based on their net asset values and recent transaction prices. The investments objectives and underlying investments of the collective trusts vary, with some holding short-term investments for principal preservation, some holding securities of companies in a particular industry sector, some holding short-term and/or medium-term corporate, government and government agency bonds, some holding a blend of asset back securities and corporate bonds. Each collective trust, including target date funds, provides for daily redemptions by the Plan at reported net asset values per share, with no advance notice requirement. Target date funds seek to grow assets over a specified period and provide a blend of stability of principal and capital appreciation. The asset allocation of a target date fund gradually grows more conservative as the target date nears and risk tolerance falls. For target date funds additional redemptions are made as of the valuation date on which such unit value is calculated, at the Plan level, pursuant to notice or direction from the Trust to the Trustee at least fifteen business days before the valuation date (or as otherwise determined by the Trust or Trustee).

(continued)
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McDONALD’S CORPORATION 401(k) PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2020 and 2019

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are summarized below (amounts in thousands):

Investment Type	Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2020 — (Level 1)	(Level 2)		(Level 3)	Total
Cash	$ 402	$	—	$ —	$ 402
US Treasury securities	—		19,174	—	19,174
Option Contracts	(136	)	—	—	(136	)
ETF	57,169		—	—	57,169
McDonald’s Corp common stock	1,507,382		—	—	1,507,382
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	1,564,817		19,174	—	1,583,991
Investments measured at net asset value (a)
Collective Trusts	—		—	—	1,694,481
Investments at fair value	$ 1,564,817	$	19,174	$ —	$ 3,278,472
	Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2019
Investment Type	(Level 1)	(Level 2)		(Level 3)	Total
Cash	$ 602	$	—	$ —	$ 602
US Treasury securities	—		27,511	—	27,511
Option contracts	(592	)	—	—	(592	)
ETF	89,284		—	—	89,284
McDonald’s Corp common stock	1,558,819		—	—	1,558,819
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	1,648,113		27,511	—	1,675,624
Investments measured at net asset value (a)
Collective Trusts	—		—	—	1,505,315
Investments at fair value	$ 1,648,113	$	27,511	$ —	$ 3,180,939

(a) In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, certain investments that were measured at net asset value per share (or its equivalent as a practical expedient) have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the line items presented in the statement of net assets available for benefits.

Participant Loans : Participant loans are reported at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest, with no allowance for credit losses, as repayments of principal and interest are received through payroll deductions and the notes are collateralized by the participants’ account balances.

Payment of Benefits : Benefits are recorded at the time of payment.

(continued)
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McDONALD’S CORPORATION 401(k) PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2020 and 2019

NOTE 3 - FULLY BENEFIT RESPONSIVE INVESTMENT CONTRACTS

The Plan investments include a Capital Preservation Fund, managed by GSAM Stable Value, LLC, which is a unitized fund established solely for the investment of assets of the Plan. The account is credited with earnings on the underlying investments and charged for Plan participant withdrawals and administrative expenses. The Capital Preservation Fund holds the Short-Term Investment Fund (STIF) along with synthetic guaranteed investment contracts, which hold limited liability companies (LLC) and collective funds that invest in various fixed income securities. The STIF is valued at Net Asset Value amounting to $3,887,952 and $19,379,161 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and included within collective trusts in the ASC 820 fair value table in Note 2. The fair value of the limited liability companies is estimated using the Plan’s percentage ownership in the limited liability company based on the audited financial statements. These synthetic investment contracts are included in the financial statements at contract value except the STIF. Contract value represents contributions made under the contracts, plus earnings, less participant withdrawals and administrative expenses.

The synthetic investment contracts within the Capital Preservation Fund specify certain conditions under which distributions from the contracts would be payable at amounts below contract value. Such circumstances may include the termination of the Plan, a material adverse change to the provisions of the Plan, if the employer elects to terminate a synthetic investment contract in order to switch to a different investment advisor or if the terms of a successor plan (in the event of the spin-off or sale of a division) do not meet the synthetic investment contract issuer’s underwriting criteria for issuance of a clone contract. The contracts may also limit the circumstances under which an issuer may terminate a synthetic investment contract. Examples of circumstances which would allow an issuer to terminate the contract include the Plan’s loss of its qualified status, un-cured material breaches of responsibilities, or material and adverse changes to the provisions of the Plan. If any one of these events were to occur, the issuer may terminate the contract at the market value of the underlying investments. Currently, the occurrence of an event that would cause the Plan to transact contract distributions at less than contract value is not probable.

The crediting rates of the contracts are based on agreed-upon formulas with the issuers, as defined in the contract agreements, but cannot be less than zero. The crediting rates are reviewed and reset on a monthly basis. The key factors that influence future crediting rates could include the following: the level of market interest rates; the amount and timing of participant contributions; transfers and withdrawals into/out of the contracts; and the duration of the underlying investments backing the contracts.

NOTE 4 - PLAN TERMINATION

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, McDonald’s Corporation has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and the Company may terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

NOTE 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE FEES

The investment management and advisory fees applicable to each investment fund are netted against the related investment income before investment income is allocated to participants’ accounts. Fees for managed account services provided by an independent third-party are charged directly to participant accounts only for individuals that use this service. Administrative fees associated with the Plan are paid by the Company.

(continued)
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McDONALD’S CORPORATION 401(k) PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2020 and 2019

NOTE 6 - INCOME TAX STATUS

The Internal Revenue Service has determined and informed the Company by letter dated September 24, 2013, that the Plan and related trust are designed, including amendments adopted through October 18, 2012, in accordance with applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Although the Plan has been restated, effective January 1, 2020, Plan management believes that the Plan is designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC. Therefore, they continue to believe that the Plan is qualified and the related trust was tax-exempt as of the financial statement date.

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require Plan management to evaluate tax positions taken by the Plan. Plan management has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken that would require recognition of a liability (or asset) or disclosure in the financial statements. The Plan is subject to routine audits by regulators. The Department of Labor conducted an audit of Plan years 2015 through 2018. On March 5, 2020, the Department of Labor closed the audit.

NOTE 7 - TRANSACTIONS WITH PARTIES IN INTEREST

During 2020, the Plan received $36,597,265 in common stock dividends from the Company. For the year ended December 31, 2020 the realized gain and unrealized gain on the common stock was $115,666,288 and $2,593,895 respectively. The Plan held 7,024,041 and 7,888,360 shares as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 respectively. These transactions are related party transactions as defined by GAAP.

During 2020, fees totaling $2,309,687 were paid by the Plan to the managers of the investments held in the Plan and an advisor to Plan participants. These transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions.

Certain Plan assets are held in participant loans or investments issued by The Northern Trust Company or State Street Bank and Trust Company; therefore, these transactions qualify as party-in-interest. The Plan holds investments issued by various investment managers of the Plan; these qualify as party-in-interest. A portion of the Plan’s assets are also invested in Company stock.

Certain administrative functions are performed by officers or employees of the Company. No such officer or employee receives compensation from the Plan.

NOTE 8 - RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Plan invests in various investments. Investments are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market, liquidity and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investments, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investments will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.

In January 2020, the World Health Organization declared an outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic resulting in adversely impacted global commercial activity and significant declines and volatility in financial markets, resulting in economic uncertainties which may negatively impact investment performance across the globe. The outbreak presents uncertainty and risk with respect to the Plan’s performance and its financial results.

(continued)
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McDONALD’S CORPORATION 401(k) PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2020 and 2019

NOTE 9 - FORM 5500 RECONCILIATION

Following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements at December 31, 2020 and 2019 to net assets per the Form 5500 (amounts in thousands):

Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements	2020 — $	3,739,633	$	3,603,554
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit responsive investment
contracts	$	23,121		6,249
Less: Benefit Payable	($	1,051	)	0
Net assets per the Form 5500	$	3,761,703	$	3,609,803

Following is a reconciliation of the increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits per the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, to the net gain per the Form 5500 (amounts in thousands):

Increase in net assets available for benefits per the financial statements	$
Change in the adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit responsive investment
contracts at December 31, 2020	16,872
Less: Benefit Payable	(1,051	)
Net gain per the Form 5500	$ 151,900

NOTE 10 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Effective January 1, 2021, a Roth option was added to the Plan. Participants with Roth accounts in a prior employer’s defined contribution plan may transfer that Roth account to the Plan, subject to the Plan procedures. Roth IRA accounts may not be transferred to the Plan. Plan participants have the ability to convert their non-Roth contributions and associated earnings (other than loan balances) to Roth contributions within the Plan subject to applicable taxation in the year in which the conversion is made. There is no fee to complete such a conversion.

Effective January 1, 2021, hardship distributions are permitted from the Plan. An active participant who has withdrawn all funds otherwise available for withdrawal may elect a distribution on account of hardship. Any such distribution shall be available at such times, in such manner and subject to such rules and procedures as the Administrative Committee, in its discretion, shall from time to time specify.

Effective March 1, 2021, a 20% cap on balance transfers into the McDonald’s Common Stock Fund was added.

12.

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MCDONALD’S CORPORATION, EIN 36-2361282

MCDONALD’S CORPORATION 401(K) PLAN, PLAN NUMBER 001

PLAN YEAR END DECEMBER 31, 2020

FORM 5500, SCHEDULE H, LINE 4I - SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD AT END OF YEAR

(a)	(b) (c)	(d)	(e)
	IDENTITY OF ISSUER/DESCRIPTION	COST**	MARKET VALUE
	McDONALD’S CORPORATION COMMON STOCK
*	MC DONALDS CORP COM		1,144,032,412
*	MC DONALDS CORP COM		363,186,306
*	MC DONALDS CORP COM		162,866
	SUBTOTAL - McDONALD’S CORPORATION STOCK		1,507,381,584
	ETF
	ISHARES CORE S P 500 ETF		57,169,269
	SUBTOTAL - ETF		57,169,269
	MCDONALD’S LOAN ASSETS
*	MCDONALD’S LOAN ASSETS (4.250%-9.251%, 2020-2026)		24,366,252
	SUBTOTAL - McDONALD’S LOAN ASSETS		24,366,252
	SYNTHETIC GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CONTRACTS
*	GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT INTERMEDIATE CORE FUND		138,964,657
*	LOOMIS INTERMEDIATE GOV/CREDIT FUND		99,111,435
*	WELLINGTON INTERMEDIATE CORE PORTFOLIO		105,448,589
*	GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT TERM FUND 2020		1,932,706
*	GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT TERM FUND 2021		29,914,944
*	GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT TERM FUND 2022		30,116,756
*	GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT TERM FUND 2023		30,541,545
*	GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT TERM FUND 2024		24,170,931
	SUBTOTAL - SYNTHETIC GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CONTRACTS		460,201,563
	COLLECTIVE TRUSTS
*	MFB NT COLLECTIVE ALL COUNTRY WORLD EX-US IMI
FUND - NON LENDING		116,993,796
*	MFB NT COLLECTIVE AGGREGATE BOND INDEX FUND-NON LENDING		118,612,443
*	MFB NT COLLECTIVE S&P500 INDEX FUND-NON LENDING		428,032,514
*	MFO AON HEWITT COLLECTIVE INVT TR GLOBALEQUITY CL I		201,937,007
*	MFO AON HEWITT COLLECTIVE INVT TR INCOMECL I INCOME CL I		235,121,552
*	MFO AON HEWITT COLLECTIVE INVT TR INFLATION STRATEGY CL I		18,668,827
*	MFO JPMORGAN CORE DIVERSIFIED COMMERCIALPROPERTY FUND		54,791,900
*	MFO S&P 500 NON LENDING SER CL		22,148,754

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(a)	(b) (c)	(d)	(e)
	IDENTITY OF ISSUER/DESCRIPTION	COST**	MARKET VALUE
*	MFO SSGA GLOBAL EQUITY EX USA INDEX NL SERIES CL A -		32,163,854
*	MFO SSGA REIT INDEX NON LENDING SERIES FUND CMX2		2,714,482
*	MFO SSGA RUSSELL SMALL/MID CAP INDEX NL SERIES FUND CLASS A		10,196,860
*	MFO STATE STREET BLOOMBERG ROLL SELECT COMMODITY INDEX		21,315,038
*	NT COLLECTIVE EXTENDED EQUITY INDEX FD -NONLENDING		184,594,845
*	MFO AON HEWITT COLLECTIVE INVT TR INDEX RETIREMENT INCOME FD CL I		3,599,920
*	MFO AON HEWITT COLLECTIVE INVT TR INDEX 2015 RETIREMENT SOLUTION CL I		3,938,209
*	MFO AON HEWITT COLLECTIVE INVT TR INDEX 2020 RETIREMENT SOLUTION CL I		10,730,187
*	MFO AON HEWITT COLLECTIVE INVT TR INDEX 2025 RETIREMENT SOLUTION CL I		23,994,353
*	MFO AON HEWITT COLLECTIVE INVT TR INDEX 2030 RETIREMENT SOLUTION CL I		30,950,424
*	MFO AON HEWITT COLLECTIVE INVT TR INDEX 2035 RETIREMENT SOLUTION CL I		43,395,086
*	MFO AON HEWITT COLLECTIVE INVT TR INDEX 2040 RETIREMENT SOLUTION CL I		30,601,637
*	MFO AON HEWITT COLLECTIVE INVT TR INDEX 2045 RETIREMENT SOLUTION CL I		23,477,841
*	MFO AON HEWITT COLLECTIVE INVT TR INDEX 2050 RETIREMENT SOLUTION CL I		19,745,112
*	MFO AON HEWITT COLLECTIVE INVT TR INDEX 2055 RETIREMENT SOLUTION CL I		12,209,253
*	MFO AON TR CO COLLECTIVE INVT TR AON HEWITT INDEX 2060 RETIREMENT SOLUTION CL I		5,071,416
*	NORTHERN TRUST COLTV SHORT TERM INVT FD		39,476,060
	SUBTOTAL - COLLECTIVE TRUSTS		1,694,481,370
	OPTION CONTRACTS
	S&P 500 INDEX WEEKLY CALL OPTION W/STK $3825.00 PER SHARE 22-JAN-2021		(21,360	)
	S&P 500 INDEX WEEKLY PUT OPTION W/STK $3460.00 PER SHARE 08-JAN-2021		(2,655	)
	S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION CALL OPTION W/STK $3750.00 PER SHARE 31-DEC-2020		(6,400	)
	S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION CALL OPTION W/STK $3760.00 PER SHARE 30-DEC-2020		(40	)
	S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION CALL OPTION W/STK $3780.00 PER SHARE 31-DEC-2020		(40	)
	S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION CALL OPTION W/STK $3785.00 PER SHARE 04-JAN-2021		(3,520	)
	S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION CALL OPTION W/STK $3790.00 PER SHARE 06-JAN-2021		(10,104	)
	S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION CALL OPTION W/STK $3795.00 PER SHARE 08-JAN-2021		(14,760	)
	S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION CALL OPTION W/STK $3820.00 PER SHARE 11-JAN-2021		(9,280	)
	S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION CALL OPTION W/STK $3825.00 PER SHARE 04-JAN-2021		(765	)
	S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION CALL OPTION W/STK $3825.00 PER SHARE 13-JAN-2021		(11,440	)

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(a)	(d)	(e)
IDENTITY OF ISSUER/DESCRIPTION	COST**	MARKET VALUE
S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION CALL OPTION W/STK $3850.00 PER SHARE 19-JAN-2021		(11,288	)
S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION PUT OPTION W/STK$3490.00 PER SHARE 19-JAN-2021		(9,200	)
S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION PUT OPTION W/STK$3500.00 PER SHARE 13-JAN-2021		(6,120	)
S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION PUT OPTION W/STK$3510.00 PER SHARE 22-JAN-2021		(13,600	)
S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION PUT OPTION W/STK$3520.00 PER SHARE 04-JAN-2021		(1,008	)
S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION PUT OPTION W/STK$3580.00 PER SHARE 06-JAN-2021		(3,200	)
S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION PUT OPTION W/STK$3610.00 PER SHARE 11-JAN-2021		(9,072	)
S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION PUT OPTION W/STK$3620.00 PER SHARE 31-DEC-2020		(40	)
S&P WEEKLY INDEX OPTION PUT OPTION W/STK$3670.00 PER SHARE 04-JAN-2021		(2,352	)
SUBTOTAL - OPTION CONTRACTS		(136,244	)
INTEREST-BEARING CASH
United States dollar - Invested cash		402,368
SUBTOTAL - INTEREST-BEARING CASH		402,368
UNITED STATES TREASURIES
UNITED STATES OF AMER TREAS BILLS 12-02-2021 0.0% 02/12/2021		1,868,293
UNITED STATES OF AMER TREAS BILLS 0% T-BILL 08-12-2021		3,797,991
UNITED STATES TREAS BILLS 01-28-2021		979,962
UNITED STATES TREAS BILLS 02-25-2021 UNITED STATES TREAS BILLS		593,942
UNITED STATES TREAS BILLS 05-20-2021		724,778
UNITED STATES TREAS BILLS 09-09-2021		611,635
UNITED STATES TREAS BILLS DUE 06-17-2021		6,347,614
UNITED STATES TREAS NTS DTD 04/30/2016 1.375% DUE 04-30-2021 REG		1,204,875
UNITED STATES TREAS NTS US TREASURY N/B 1.75 11-30-2021 1.75 DUE 11-30-2021 REG		3,044,297
SUBTOTAL - UNITED STATES TREASURIES		19,173,387
TOTAL ASSETS		3,763,039,549

• Party in Interest

** Historical cost is disclosed only for nonparticipant-directed investments

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EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit
23.1	Consent of Crowe LLP Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

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SIGNATURES

The Plan . Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	McDonald’s Corporation 401(k) Plan
	(formerly known as McDonald’s 401k Plan)
Dated: June 16, 2021	By:	/s/ Karen Matusinec
	Name:	Karen Matusinec
	Title:	Corporate SVP – Treasurer