McDonald's honors Dean Foods as top supplier

McDonald’s USA has selected Dean Foods, a leading dairy supplier for many of the fast food chain’s restaurants, as the 2011 US Supplier of the Year. This award was announced at the recent US Supplier Summit, an annual gathering of key McDonald’s suppliers and distributors held in Schaumburg IL, near its Oak Brook IL headquarters.

A McDonald’s supplier for many years, Dean Foods won the Supplier of the Year Award for implementing innovative products, initiating management programs—including playing a leading role in corporate quality assurance—and development of long-term sustainability technologies. This is the first time the company has been honored as McDonald’s Supplier of the Year.

“Dean Foods is a dedicated provider to the McDonald’s brand and our franchisee community,” said Dan Gorsky Sr, vice-president, McDonald’s North America Supply Chain. “Their continuous efforts to improve productivity and create alignment between our two businesses make Dean Foods one of our most valued suppliers.”

The McDonald’s US Supplier of the Year Award is presented annually to the food, paper, or product supplier that makes the most significant impact on, and contribution to, the firm’s US business results from the previous year. Award criteria include commitment to quality and food safety, product, equipment and process innovation, exemplary customer service, and value.

Dean Foods is a prominent US food and beverage company and a European leader in branded soy foods and beverages. Its Fresh Dairy Direct–Morningstar segment is the largest US processor and distributor of milk, creamer, and cultured dairy products. These offerings are marketed under more than 50 local and regional dairy brands, as well as via private labels.

A leading foodservice provider, McDonald’s USA serves more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90% of its 14,000 US restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com.