Newman's Own and McDonald's Announce Exclusive Alliance

At a special event in New York City, Paul Newman, President and Founder of Newman's Own, Inc., philanthropist and actor, joined McDonald's executives to announce an exclusive alliance. This agreement features Newman's Own all-natural salad dressings served with McDonald's new Premium Salads in restaurants nationwide starting March 24, 2003, with select restaurants adding the new salads and dressings to their menus between March 10th-24th.

"We are delighted that McDonald's has chosen Newman's Own to be the exclusive supplier of salad dressings for their premium salads - the only all-natural dressings in the quick service Restaurant industry," said Paul Newman. "McDonald's tosses the greens - we toss in the dressings - and what a delicious reciprocal trade agreement. More profits for us and --VOILA --charity will be the great beneficiary."

"Today's announcement introducing McDonald's Premium Salads and Newman's Own salad dressings demonstrates our commitment to offering customers new and compelling menu options," said Mike Roberts, President of McDonald's USA. "We invite all customers to visit McDonald's and taste these delicious, new wholesome products."

"McDonald's is very proud to work with Newman's Own and Paul Newman, who have and through this alliance, will continue to do so much to help others in need," added Roberts.

McDonald's new Premium Salads will premier as an exceptional new addition to its nationwide menu - offering customers three wholesome, high quality salad entree options with warm breast of chicken -- served grilled or crispy -- garden fresh vegetables, flavorful cheeses and Newman's Own all-natural salad dressings. More specifically, the salad and dressing offerings include:

• California Cobb Salad: premium mixed greens tossed with succulent grape tomatoes, shaved carrots, crumbled blue cheese, hickory-smoked bacon and chopped egg. Offered with Newman's Own California Cobb Dressing: a Creamy Vinaigrette - hearty, creamy full-bodied dressing with a blend of cheeses, hints of sweet pepper and savory herbs.
• Caesar Salad: premium mixed greens with succulent grape tomatoes, shaved carrots, grated Parmesan cheese, and savory garlic croutons. Offered with Newman's Own Creamy Caesar Dressing - Restaurant Style - a rich creamy Caesar dressing with a perfect blend of olive oil, cheeses and garlic.
• Bacon Ranch Salad: premium mixed greens tossed with succulent grape tomatoes, shaved carrots, jack and cheddar cheese with hickory-smoked bacon. Offered with Newman's Own Ranch Dressing - Restaurant Style - a creamy buttermilk dressing made with chives and parsley for a delicious savory flavor.
• Also available is a new (no-meat) side salad with premium mixed greens, succulent grape tomatoes and shaved carrots. An additional salad dressing option is Newman's Own Light Balsamic Vinaigrette - a delicious, premium vinaigrette with the distinct, full flavor of aged balsamic vinegar and 50 percent less fat and 50 percent fewer calories than Newman's Own regular balsamic dressing.

Newman's Own exclusive alliance with McDonald's includes the offering of the four different types of salad dressings in convenient dressing packets. Nutritional information for Newman's Own all-natural salad dressings is printed on the packaging. McDonald's new Premium Salads nutritional information, as with all standard products, is available online at www.mcdonalds.com and via McDonald's toll-free customer phone number (1-800-244-6227).

A new advertising campaign created by DDB Chicago to support the launch of McDonald's new Premium Salads with Newman's Own salad dressings will begin April 21 nationwide.

Both Newman's Own and McDonald's come to this alliance with a history of helping those in need. McDonald's, as a Newman's Own customer, is enabling Paul Newman to donate additional profits to charity through this arrangement. Paul Newman donates all profits, after taxes, from the sale of Newman's Own products to educational and charitable purposes. To date, Mr. Newman has donated more than $125 million to thousands of charities.

In April 2002, McDonald's released its first-ever Social Responsibility Report, which provides McDonald's performance and progress in four categories: community, environment, people and economic impact. Just one example is McDonald's support of Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) and its more than 217 Ronald McDonald Houses® around the world that provide a "home away from home" for families with seriously ill children. Since 1984, RMHC and its global network of local chapters have provided more than $320 million for children's programs.

Newman's Own is an all-natural line of food products created by Paul Newman. Paul Newman donates all his profits, after taxes, from the sale of these products for educational and charitable purposes. Paul Newman has donated over $125 million to thousands of charities since 1982.

McDonald's is the world's leading foodservice retailer, with more than 30,000 restaurants serving over 46 million people. Approximately 80 percent of McDonald's U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent local businessmen and women.