NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- A company's CEO can provide that "special sauce" that just makes them perform better and command higher multiples, Jim Cramer told the viewers of his "Mad Money" TV show Thursday.

He credited the upside surprise on the top and bottom lines in McDonald's (MCD Quote), earnings to its CEO Jim Skinner. Cramer said Skinner just makes McDonald's a special company that's been constantly delivering new items, better coffee and worldwide growth with the earnings to match.

Cramer said companies like McDonald's should command a much higher multiple that those with lackluster CEOs. "How much is a visionary like Steve Jobs worth at Apple (AAPL Quote)," asked Cramer. Or how about Alan Mulally's fabulous turnaround at Ford (F Quote)?

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