News

Top US job among flurry of McDonald's leadership changes

September 1, 2016

McDonald's U.S. President Mike Andres is retiring at year's end, and Chris Kempczinski EVP of Strategy, Business Development and Innovation, will take the reins on Jan. 1, 2017. The leadership change is one of several in the top ranks of the massive organization, announced via press release late Wednesday.

"Mike has been relentless in his commitment to building a better brand," said McDonald's President and CEO Steve Easterbrook."From significant strides in food quality to meaningful customer initiatives like All Day Breakfast and forging an even stronger partnership between U.S. operators and the company, his commitment to our customers is unmistakable."

For his part, Andres said this winter seemed to be a good time to retire, given some of the major recent changes the brand has begun in order to bring its food in line with the current trend toward more healthful and environmentally responsible offerings.

"With the strides we have made in the U.S. business, this is the right time for me to retire," Andres said. "I'm proud of the work we have done to put our customers first and enhance our menu so customers can feel good about eating the food they love at McDonald's."

The release said that Kempczinski and Andres are working together to ensure a smooth transition at year's end. 

"We are confident Chris is the right leader to build upon our U.S. progress and bring a new level of convenience and excitement to the restaurant experience," Easterbrook added. "His proven track record of driving change is invaluable as we continue to transform McDonald's into a modern, progressive burger company."

Prior to joining McDonald's last year, Kempczinski served in a number of large consumer company strategy and operational positions. He was most recently executive vice president of growth initiatives and president of International at Kraft Foods Group before joining the mega-QSR brand.  

"I look forward to building upon the significant progress in the U.S., and continuing the innovation and collaboration among our owner-operators, suppliers and employees to take McDonald's to the next level," Kempczinski said.

Additional leadership changes

Several other individuals in the top ranks of the Chicago-based company will be transitioning, as part of a streamlined structure in the ranks of the company, which has committed to move more quickly on customer-focused initiatives, according to the news release. The other changes include: 

• Chief Administrative Officer Pete Bensen retires this month.
• Doug Goare, current president of the international lead markets, will take on many of the business functions of the COO in his new additional role of chief restaurant officer, which will put him in charge of supply chain, information technology, global restaurant operations, development and digital business functions.
• Lucy Bradysteps into the role of senior vice president of corporate strategy and business development this month, assuming the previous responsibilities of Kempczinski, overseeing strategy development, planning and innovation. She was previously senior partner and managing director at The Boston Consulting Group, where she led a number of turnaround and strategic growth initiatives.