About

McDonald’s SQMS and GMP

As a globally recognized brand, supplying McDonald’s can bring many benefits to your business. This opportunity is only achievable when you receive the Approval as a McDonald’s Supplier.

In order to do so, McDonald’s has outlined its expectations for suppliers through the Supplier Quality Management System (SQMS) assurance program, which will help you demonstrate that you have a robust management system in place to deliver safe and high-quality products, and ensure you operate according to McDonald’s supply chain’s highest standards.

Considering this, all McDonald’s suppliers of food products suppliers must annually verify their SQMS compliance and collaborate with McDonald’s to continuously improve the auditing practices and customer satisfaction.

Need supplier approval?

Let us help

CICS has global approval to audit your organization against the McDonald’s Supplier Quality Management System (SQMS), based on GFSI-benchmarked international standards.

At CICS, we believe audits should add value to your organization and investment. We achieve this through industry expert auditors that will provide you with a pragmatic and respectful audit, always focused on risk management and the continuous improvement of your system.

Request a quote from our team today!

What you need to know

McDonald’s SQMS audit

You need to be currently supplying McDonald’s to be eligible to join the SQMS program.

This verification audit can be delivered as:

1. 1. A full audit of the SQMS requirements.
   2. An addendum to GFSI benchmarks standards such as SQF.
   3. For New/LTO suppliers, GFSI certification or use SQMS Sections 4, 5, and 6. For Category I suppliers, one annual unannounced GMP audit is required in addition to the SQMS compliance audit (total two audits).

According to the size of the facility, the production volume, and the complexity of the processes, your audit duration may vary. This will be confirmed with your auditing company.

Depending on the product you process and its inherent food safety risks, you may fall into one of the three different “Product Categories” established by McDonald’s, for which other auditing requirements may be applicable.

Category I suppliers

McDonald’s GMP requirement

If you are classified as Category I for Mc Donald’s, you are required to conduct an annual Unannounced GMP audit in addition to SQMS compliance.

McDonald’s has divided food goods into three categories based on its food safety hazards, manufacturing volume, and brand recognition.

While Category III products have the least potential brand risks, Category I products have the highest potential brand-associated risks.

Some examples of Category I products include beef, chicken, fish, RTE meat, egg products, RTE fresh and frozen produce, natural cheese made with unpasteurized raw milk, and bakery products.

CICS can offer you an all-in-one solution to comply with your requirements. Let us find the right one for your business!

How does an SQMS Audit work?

McDonald’s SQMS

• You shall contact your third-party Audit service provider to calculate the estimated time and dates for your assessment.
• After this, an appointed expert auditor will visit your premises and conduct the assessment required to your needs.
• McDonald’s products must be in production at the time of the onsite audit.
• All facility employees, visitors, and contractors shall comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements set forth by all applicable laws and regulations, suppliers, and McDonald’s.
• Buildings, grounds, equipment, and processes shall also meet GMP requirements.
• You will be provided with a report following the audit identifying any areas for improvement.
• SQMS audits may be combined with other audit activities, saving you time and money.