] Fast-food giant McDonald's Corp. [MCD.N] said on Friday ] it would shutter about 175 restaurants -- its second ] major round of closings in two years -- and slash up to ] 600 worldwide corporate positions, as it struggles to ] turn around its U.S. performance and trim worldwide ] costs. ] ] The Oak Brook, Illinois-based company said the actions ] will reduce fourth-quarter earnings by $350 million to ] $425 million, forcing its to miss its 2002 earnings ] forecast. The shortfall stems from the combined effect of ] the cost of closing stores and losing their revenues, a ] spokeswoman said. Could people finally be figuring out that McDonalds not only sucks, but is downright dangerous to your health? I still like their fries. Everything else they have sucks. But those fries. They gotta have some kinda MSG like drug in them that we don't know about... ABCNEWS.com : McDonald's to Close 175 Restaurants |