Embracing the Opportunities for Connection in 2022

This message was originally sent as an email to the McDonald's System on January 7, 2022.

Global McFamily,

I’ve always loved what the start of a new year promises. New connections. New focus. New possibilities that spring out of what we’ve learned from a chapter that is closing, and one that is now beginning. In so many ways, it’s like we’re all assembling at a starting line together.

Yet, as we enter the third year of COVID, our System is under immense pressure, which feels both familiar and extraordinary.

While the Omicron variant has triggered less severe symptoms for much of the population, the first part of 2022 is already marked by high infection rates. In addition to the medical advancements that have been made, our ability to respond to this surge has grown with our increased knowledge of the virus itself and the steps we can take to keep people as safe as possible. We will continue to draw from this knowledge as we adapt to the challenges that employees, franchisees, crews, restaurants, supplier partners and communities at large are facing.

As we do, I am encouraged by indications from our global health care partners that the surge we are seeing now should subside well before spring.

With this, I am confident that 2022 will be the first time in four years that we will get together at Worldwide Convention, a family reunion if there ever was one—which is one of many reasons this year will be a special one.

As I look ahead to Orlando, I’ve been reading back through some of Ray Kroc’s reflections from the very first Convention in 1965.

At the time, our McFamily was celebrating its tenth anniversary. We had 725 restaurants and were just a few months away from selling our two billionth hamburger.

While reflecting with pride on all that the System had accomplished, Ray observed that as the brand had gotten much larger and more popular, it made it harder to connect with one another around our shared experience—what he defined as “the give-and-take, the mutual teaching, and learning and growing on which our success is based.”

He went on to remind us that, as a family, we need moments of pause to improve what he called “our sense of mutual understanding”—to take a step back from it all and renew the bonds we share with one another.

I’ve been thinking about that reminder a lot—especially as I reflect on an incredible and unforgettable year for McDonald’s. Indeed, amid another period of tremendous disconnection, we continued to show the world and ourselves just how resilient the McDonald’s System is.

And it’s because of all of you.

You’re the reason the first full year of Accelerating the Arches was a huge success; connecting creatively across the System to build on our legacy of innovation. Together, we’re working to deliver solutions that create a seamless and memorable experience for our customers - in restaurants, on the app, through delivery and Drive Thru - millions of times a day.

You’re the reason we continued to step up and serve customers and communities when they needed us most.

You’re the reason why, in a second year of COVID, the Golden Arches remained a beacon for millions of our friends and neighbors. In a world where so many were separated for so long from all that was important to them, we made them feel connected.

Thank you—for all you’ve done, for all you are doing, and for all you will continue to do to make the McDonald’s Brand the greatest brand in the world.

The past two years haven’t been easy, and I don’t think 2022 will be any easier. The recent months and years in our memory have been marked by long hours and unprecedented flexibility and agility. I know that managers and crews are spending extra time in restaurants and personally seeing to it that we continue to deliver a great, safe experience to our customers. I know that there have been many moments of difficulty as they have delivered on our purpose to feed and foster communities.

And yet, when each of us plays our role – and we hold ourselves to a high standard – we accomplish so much together.?We more than overcome the difficult moments: we are resilient – and we thrive.

As Ray said at that first Convention, “No living and growing process is ever perfect.…It is sometimes a painful process; but it is always a valuable one. We learn from one another, and because we learn, we grow.”

I couldn’t be prouder of all we’ve accomplished together. We have done the hard work together, and we can see the results. There is nothing but endless possibilities ahead of us.

The message I keep hearing from the franchisees, suppliers, employees and crew I’ve met with is that there has never been a better time to be part of McDonald’s than right now.

Of course, such success can’t be sustained without well-deserved rest—and much-needed connection. I hope each of you spent this holiday season relaxing and recharging, and that you were able to take the time to connect with loved ones.

As 2022 kicks into high gear, millions of people will once again turn to the Golden Arches for the feel-good moments they’ve come to love.?As we approach our 67th anniversary, I’m thinking about the future – how we protect and grow this wonderful, beloved brand for the next 65+ years.

Here’s to listening to one another, learning from one another, and growing together this year to strengthen our sense of mutual understanding, while writing an incredible new chapter of this brand we love so much. Here’s to the starting line of 2022, confronting it boldly and safely together.