New York CNN —McDonald’s is spending $100 million on marketing and to help franchises most heavily affected by a recent E. coli outbreak that has sickened more than 100 people and damaged sales. In a memo sent to employees and obtained by CNN, McDonald’s is spending $35 million on marketing, which includes a value deal focused on its chicken nuggets, plus $65 million directed toward franchisees that have lost business in states where the outbreak happened. Visits and sales took a nosedive in October after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said that fresh slivered onions served on the Quarter Pounders were the likely source of an E. coli outbreak. More than 100 people got sick across 14 states and several lawsuits have been filed against the chain. McDonald’s has said recent tests showed no E. coli in its food, and in the memo noted its Quarter Pounder burgers topped with slivered onions are now back on menus nationwide.

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Persons: New York CNN —, McDonald’s, ”, Michael Gonda, Tariq Hassan, Chris Kempczinski Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, Centers for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration Locations: New York, North America