Press Release
Blackhawk Network and McDonald's® Sign Agreement to Offer McDonald's Arch Cards™ in Safeway Stores
PLEASANTON, CA ( November 14, 2006 ) – Blackhawk Network, a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., today announced an alliance with McDonald’s and P2W to sell McDonald's Arch Cards in 1,500 U.S. Safeway stores including Dominick’s, Vons, Pavilions, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb and Carrs. McDonald’s Arch Card, a convenience card that doubles as the perfect gift or spending card, are currently available for purchase at Safeway locations.
“We are delighted to work with McDonald’s and P2W on this program,” said Don Kingsborough, President and Chief Executive Officer, Blackhawk Network. “McDonald’s is at the forefront of the quick service restaurant industry and the Arch Card represents the next level in providing a convenient way to pay for meals. As McDonald’s customers shop at their neighborhood Safeway stores this holiday season and beyond, they’ll discover that the Arch Card is a great gift for family and friends.”
At McDonald's, we are always looking for ways to better serve our valued customers by offering new conveniences,” said Gina Pfeifer, Vice President, Business Integration, McDonald's USA . “More than 50% of U.S. consumers have purchased or received a gift card in the past year. Making our Arch Cards available to shoppers at Safeway stores further demonstrates how we are meeting our customers’ changing lifestyles and needs.”
Safeway stores will be among the first to offer the Arch Card outside of a McDonald’s restaurant. The McDonald’s Arch Card became an instant success with customers when it was introduced nationwide last year. With no expiration date or dormancy fees, McDonald’s Arch Cards offer convenience and portability. Customers can also check their balance (printed at the bottom of the receipt upon redemption) online at www.mcdonalds.com/archcard or by calling 1-877-458-2200.
About Blackhawk Network
Blackhawk Network, a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., is a prepaid and payments network, a market leader in card-based financial solutions and the largest provider of third-party prepaid cards. Blackhawk Network develops unique products in easy-to-use formats and delivers them to consumers through an exclusive retail network of leading grocery, mass, convenience, drug and specialty retailers. The network includes more than 60,000 store fronts and reaches more than 135 million consumers each week. Headquartered in Pleasanton , California , Blackhawk Network has offices in the United States , Canada and the United Kingdom .
About SAFEWAY
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The company operates 1,767 stores in the United States and Canada and had annual sales of $38.4 billion in 2005. The company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock exchange under the symbol SWY.
About McDonald’s USA
McDonald's USA , LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information on McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com.
About P2W
P2W, Inc. NFP is a trade association authorized by McDonald’s to issue McDonald’s Arch Cards for sale by and redemption at participating McDonald’s restaurants located in the United States. P2W is also responsible for the operation and maintenance of the McDonald’s Arch Card program in the United States.