Sound ethics and good governance are the foundation for responsible food
McDonald’s is committed to being a company that the public can trust. We believe that good governance is more than a collection of laws and regulations. It is the intersection of the relationships among our Board of Directors, our management and our shareholders. It is informed by the values that have been the foundation of our business for more than 50 years – integrity, fairness, diligence and ethical behavior.
Good governance starts with a Board whose independence ensures candid and constructive engagement with management about all aspects of our business. Our governance processes, which are set forth primarily in our Corporate Governance Principles, address matters relating to Board operations that are fundamental to shareholder interests. For example, McDonald’s has a majority voting standard for uncontested Director elections. In addition, all Directors, except the company’s CEO and President, must be independent of management, and all Directors must abide by a specific Code of Conduct for the Board of Directors.
In addition to matters addressed by the full Board of Directors, Board oversight is effected through six standing committees, including the Corporate Responsibility Committee. This committee acts in an advisory capacity to the company’s management with respect to policies and strategies that affect McDonald’s role as a socially responsible organization, including those pertaining to health and safety, the environment, employee opportunities, diversity, consumers and the communities in which McDonald’s does business.
At the corporate level, McDonald’s also has cross-functional and issue-specific governing bodies that monitor and manage issues on a day-to-day basis.
Worldwide Corporate Relations Council – Guides and aligns on issue positions, approaches and communications across McDonald’s system related to social & environmental issues
Corporate Responsibility Department – Provides corporate staff leadership, coordination and support for our global corporate social responsibility policies, programs and reporting.
Quality Assurance Board – QA directors in each of our major geographic sectors and senior-level supply chain and food safety specialists lead the development and execution of worldwide food quality strategies, including food safety
Sustainable Supply Steering Committee – Guides the development of the strategies and tools necessary to accomplish McDonald’s vision of a sustainable supply system
Global Environmental Council – Identifies global strategic environmental priorities and acts as a forum for best practice sharing on local environmental initiatives and programs