2.2.0.25truefalse175 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $eol_PE2163----1010-K0023_STD_365_20101231_0http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000063908duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00iso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170pureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0YearStandardhttp://www.mcdonalds.com/20101231Yearmcd0sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0iso4217_USD_per_sharesDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0LocationStandardhttp://www.mcdonalds.com/20101231Locationmcd0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2009 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $eol_PE2163----1010-K0023_STD_0_20091231_0http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000063908instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00iso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170iso4217_USD_per_sharesDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0sharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instanceshares0pureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepure0LocationStandardhttp://www.mcdonalds.com/20101231Locationmcd0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis} : U.S. 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $eol_PE2163----1010-K0023_STD_365_20101231_0_411811x418189http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000063908duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseU.S.us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldimcd_UnitedStatesMemberus-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisexplicitMemberiso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis} : U.S. 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $eol_PE2163----1010-K0023_STD_365_20091231_0_411811x418189http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000063908duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseU.S.us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldimcd_UnitedStatesMemberus-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisexplicitMemberiso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis} : U.S. 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $eol_PE2163----1010-K0023_STD_366_20081231_0_411811x418189http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000063908duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseU.S.us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldimcd_UnitedStatesMemberus-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisexplicitMemberiso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis} : Outside the U.S. 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $eol_PE2163----1010-K0023_STD_365_20101231_0_411811x427181http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000063908duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOutside the U.S.us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldimcd_OutsideUnitedStatesMemberus-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisexplicitMemberiso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/i so4217USDiso42170USDUSD$7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis} : Outside the U.S. 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $eol_PE2163----1010-K0023_STD_365_20091231_0_411811x427181http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000063908duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOutside the U.S.us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldimcd_OutsideUnitedStatesMemberus-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisexplicitMemberiso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/i so4217USDiso42170USDUSD$8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis} : Outside the U.S. 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $eol_PE2163----1010-K0023_STD_366_20081231_0_411811x427181http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000063908duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOutside the U.S.us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldimcd_OutsideUnitedStatesMemberus-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxisexplicitMemberiso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/i so4217USDiso42170USDUSD$9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets 12/31/2010 USD ($) $eol_PE2163----1010-K0023_STD_0_20101231_0_402537x418269http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000063908instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalsePrepaid Expenses and Other Current Assetsus-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldimcd_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMemberus-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisexplicitMemberiso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$10falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Miscellaneous other assets 12/31/2010 USD ($) $eol_PE2163----1010-K0023_STD_0_20101231_0_402537x408032http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000063908instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseMiscellaneous other assetsus-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_OtherAssetsMemberus-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisexplicitMemberiso4217_USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2true0mcd_ScheduleOfEmployeeBenefitPlansLineItemsmcdfalsenadurationSchedule of Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefa lsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00< CurrencySymbol />falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringSchedule of Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]falsefalse3false0us-gaap_DescriptionOfDefinedContributionPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00The Company also maintains certain supplemental benefit plans that allow participants to (i) make tax-deferred contributions and (ii) receive Company-provided allocations that cannot be made under the Profit Sharing and Savings Plan because of Internal Revenue Service limitations. The investment alternatives and returns are based on certain market-rate investment alternatives under the Profit Sharing and Savings Plan.The Company also maintains certain supplemental benefit plans that allow participants to (i) make tax-deferred contributions and (ii) receive falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7f alsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse Otherxbrli:stringItemTypestringDescription of the terms and benefits provided by the employer's defined contribution plans. A defined contribution plan provides benefits in return for services rendered, provides an individual account for each participant, and has terms that specify how contributions to the individual's account are to be determined rather than the amount of benefits the individual is to receive. Under a defined contribution pension plan, the benefits a participant will receive depend solely on the amount contributed to the participant's account, the returns earned on investments of those contributions, and forfeitures of other participants' benefits that may be allocated to such participant's account. A description of the plan(s) including employee groups covered, the basis for determining contributions, and the nature and effects of significant matters affecting comparability of information fo r all periods presented.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 106 -Paragraph 518 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 11 falsefalse4false0mcd_SupplementalBenefitPlanLiabilitymcdfalsecreditinstantLiability for supplemental benefit plans that allow participants to make tax-deferred contributions and receive...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse439300000439.3falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse397300000397.3falsetruefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefals e5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryLiability for supplemental benefit plans that allow participants to make tax-deferred contributions and receive company-provided allocations that cannot be made under the Profit Sharing and Savings Plan because of IRS limitations.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse5false0us-gaap_ObjectivesForUsingDerivativeInstrumentsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefa lsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00The Company has entered into derivative contracts to hedge market-driven changes in certain of the liabilities.The Company has entered into derivative contracts to hedge market-driven changes in certain of the liabilities.falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefa lsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringDescription of the reasons for holding or issuing derivative instruments and nonderivative hedging instruments. Includes discussion of the objectives for holding or issuing derivative instruments, the context needed to understand those objectives, and the strategies for achieving those objectives. The description shall distinguish derivative and nonderivative instrument by the types of hedging relationships and between those instruments used for risk management purposes and those used for other purposes. Information about those instruments shall be disclosed in the context of each instrument's primary underlying risk exposure (for example, interest rate, credit, foreign exchange rate, interest rate and foreign exchange rate, or overall price).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44 -Subparagraph 1 falsefalse6false0us-gaap_GeneralDiscussionOfDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00All changes in liabilities for these nonqualified plans and in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded in selling, general & administrative expenses. Changes in fair value of the derivatives indexed to the Company's stock are recorded in the income statement because the contracts provide the counterparty with a choice to settle in cash or shares.All changes in liabilities for these nonqualified plans and in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded in selling, general & administrative expenses.falsefalsefalsefalsefals e2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringDisclosure that addresses (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and (c) how derivative instruments affect an entity's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/r ole/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44 falsefalse7false0mcd_DerivativeContractIndexedToIssuersEquityFairValuemcdfalsedebitinstantDerivative Contract Indexed to Issuers Equity, Fair Valuefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse 5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7< IsNumeric>falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9truefalsefalse104400000104.4falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryDerivative Contract Indexed to Issuers Equity, Fair ValueNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse8false0mcd_DerivativeContractIndexedToMarketIndicesFairValuemcdfalsedebitinstantDerivative Contract Indexed to Market Indices, Fair Valuefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10truefalsefalse9270000092.7 falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryDerivative Contract Indexed to Market Indices, Fair ValueNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse9false0us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognizedus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse5140000051.4falsefalsefalsetruefalse4truefalsefalse5130000051.3falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse6120000061.2falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 11 falsefalse10false0mcd_DefinedContributionAndDefinedBenefitPlanCostRecognizedmcdfalsedebitdurationCost recognized for defined contribution and defined benefit plans.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse 3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse 5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse5760000057.6falsefalsefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse4520000045.2falsefalsefalsetruefalse8truefalsefalse5540000055.4falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse Monetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCost recognized for defined contribution and defined benefit plans.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse11false0mcd_DefinedContributionAndDefinedBenefitLiabilitymcdfalsecreditinstantLiability for defined contribution and defined benefit plansfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse153200000153.2falsetruefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse183700000183.7falsetruefalsetruefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryLiability for defined contribution and defined benefit plansNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse1010Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)HundredThousandsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue