Fifteen hometown McDonald's crew people are being recognized for their participation in McDonald's first-ever, International Crew Olympics, which took place on October 28. To celebrate their achievements, McDonald's restaurants across Indiana, Southwestern Michigan and Northern Kentucky have featured these crew people on a special trayliner being used in area McDonald's restaurants during December. The trayliner which includes the entire Regional McDonald's Olympic team, Ronald McDonald and representatives from the McDonald's Corporation, also features special recognition for the crew Olympians who obtained, gold, sliver, and bronze medals.

"We are extremely proud of the top-performing crew who participated in this year's competition and we appreciate the tremendous work they do at McDonald's every day,'' said Kevin Dunn, president of McDonald's Great Lakes Division, which hosted the event. "We would like to congratulate those going for the gold on their excellence and perseverance and wish them well in pursuing their dreams and future McDonald's careers.''

McDonald's All-American Crew Competition judged each team and crewmember on speed, accuracy, personality and teamwork. The detailed judging criteria developed by McDonald's Hamburger University® reflect the exacting operational and service excellence, including gold medal smiles, expected at all McDonald's restaurants. The Team included the following hometown heroes:

Linda Bucheit, New Albany, IN (Gold Medal Winner)
Tricia Miller, West Lafayette, IN (Gold Medal Winner)
Lydia Storie, Edinburgh, IN (Silver Medal Winner)
Kim Harris, Owensboro, KY (Bronze Medal Winner)
Roberta Morrison, Niles, MI (Bronze Medal Winner)
Beth Aldrich, Washington, IN
Matt Ashmore, Newburgh, IN
Dee Bennet, Knox, IN
Lynn Casey, Henderson, KY
Deborah Davison, Bloomington, IN
Esther Emerson, Vincennes, IN
Dustin Klepfer, Muncie, IN

McDonald's is the world's largest global foodservice retailer, with more than 27,000 restaurants serving more than 40 million people each day in 125 countries. Approximately 80 percent of McDonald's global restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees.