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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QKZynD4mupTXd+BpytwsW/Pgij5xNkN+57ThdYW9kLXfD6kUdYjuWwYTYbjaIfvj
 7Uqap4xwMNtvbkQTMWDGHw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-03-003575.txt : 20031001
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-03-003575.hdr.sgml : 20031001
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031001114423
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-03-003575
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030930
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031001

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCDONALDS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000063908
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
		IRS NUMBER:				362361282
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MCDONALD'S PLZ
		CITY:			OAK BROOK
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60523
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6306233000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MCDONALD PLAZA
		CITY:			OAK BROOK
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60523

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BRENNAN EDWARD A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001037476

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05231
		FILM NUMBER:		03919517

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 N. MICHIGAN AVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 400
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60611
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3128751902

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 N. MICHIGAN AVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 400
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60611
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-09-30</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000063908</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MCDONALDS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MCD</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001037476</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BRENNAN EDWARD A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>400 N. MICHIGAN AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60611</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<derivativeTable>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Phantom Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<footnoteId id="F1"/>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-09-30</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>818</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<footnoteId id="F1"/>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<footnoteId id="F3"/>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<footnoteId id="F3"/>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>818</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>818</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes>
<footnote id="F1">Acquisition of phantom stock pursuant to Directors&#039; Stock Plan.  The phantom stock converts to commn stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">Acquisition of phantom stock pursuant to Directors&#039; Stock Plan in transaction exempt under Rule 16b-3(d)(1).  Amount represents deferred compensation or dividends reinvested.</footnote>
<footnote id="F3">Exercisable upon retirement.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<remarks></remarks>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>Carol A. Vix, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-10-01</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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