Form 4: McDonald's Director Mary Margaret Hastings Georgiadis Reports Changes in Beneficial Ownership

Director Mary Margaret Hastings Georgiadis reports acquisition of phantom stock and indirect ownership of common stock in McDonald's Corporation.

Summary

• On December 31, 2024, Mary Margaret Hastings Georgiadis, a director of McDonald's Corporation, reported changes in her beneficial ownership of the company's securities.
• She acquired phantom stock equivalent to 700.47 shares of common stock as deferred compensation under the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan.
• The price of the derivative security was $289.89.
• She also indirectly owns 2,130 shares of common stock through an LLC.
• Following the reported transactions, she beneficially owns 10,027.09 derivative securities.
• These derivative securities are in the form of phantom stock.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral to slightly positive. It reflects routine director compensation and alignment of interests with shareholders.

Positives

• The acquisition of phantom stock reflects continued alignment of the director's interests with the long-term performance of McDonald's.
• The deferred compensation plan incentivizes directors to remain engaged and contribute to the company's success.

Future Outlook

The phantom stock will be settled in cash following the director's retirement or termination from the Board.

Industry Context

Directors' compensation packages often include deferred stock or phantom stock to align their interests with shareholders and incentivize long-term value creation. This filing is a routine disclosure of such compensation.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Director compensation packages vary across the fast-food industry, but deferred stock and phantom stock are common components.
• Companies like Restaurant Brands International (QSR) and Wendy's (WEN) also utilize equity-based compensation for their directors.
• The specific amounts and terms of these packages depend on factors such as company size, performance, and industry benchmarks.

Stakeholder Impact

• The acquisition of phantom stock aligns the director's interests with those of shareholders, incentivizing decisions that enhance long-term shareholder value.

Key Dates