AmCham Denmark honours McDonald’s

The 2012 ‘Foreign Company of the Year’ is praised for its growth in a stagnant market and employee development

The American Chamber of Commerce in Denmark (AmCham Denmark) announced on Wednesday that McDonald had been selected as its ‘Foreign Company of the Year’.

The award highlights the importance of direct foreign investments and the positive impact foreign companies have on Denmark and Danish society. Previous winners include Siemens (2011), Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers (2010) and GlaxoSmithKline Pharma (2008).

McDonald’s was chosen by a three-person jury selected by AmCham Denmark: Sten Scheibye, the chairman of the Danish Trade Council; Lars Nørby-Johansen, the chairman of the National Growth Council; and Steen Thomsen, a professor at Copenhagen Business School.

According to Scheibye, McDonald’s has grown impressively despite being in a market that has been seriously hindered by the global financial crisis. Additionally, McDonald’s has increased its efforts in innovation and corporate social responsibility, and it continues to be the largest employer and trainer of Denmark’s youth.

“We particularly want to emphasise the role of McDonald’s as a large employer and service provider actively investing in employee education and productivity growth,” Scheibye said. “McDonald’s excels in corporate social responsibility and has adapted constructively to an increased emphasis on health in Denmark.”

AmCham executive director Stephen Brugger was pleased by the jury’s decision. 

“McDonald’s is often taken for granted in Denmark, but when you look closer, you really see how they’ve taken a number of strategic decisions to position themselves better with the Danish consumers, and how this effort now is paying off – and contributing to the Danish society,” he said.

Naturally, McDonald’s also relished the jury’s decision. 

“We are proud and delighted to be named as Foreign Company of the Year,” said Stephen Shillington, the Australian managing director of McDonald’s Denmark. “By giving this great recognition to McDonald’s, the jury and AmCham send a strong message that it is possible to be a truly American brand while creating a close bond with the Danes and contributing positively to Danish society.” 

McDonald’s first restaurant opened in Denmark on Vesterbrogade in 1981. It currently employs more than 4,000 people at its 84 locations nationwide.

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