USA – American fast-food giant, McDonald’s has appointed Chris Kempczinski as the new president and chief executive officer of the company.
Chris Kempczinski, who headed McDonald’s USA will take up his new position as the new president and CEO from Steve Easterbrook, who was fired for ‘violating company policies’.
On November 1st, McDonald’s said it voted to approve Easterbrook’s departure after conducting a thorough analysis that revealed he was in a consensual relationship with an employee – against the company policy.
Commenting on Kempczinski’s appointment, the board said it is confident in his ability to lead the company.
Chris was one of the key figures in the development of McDonald’s strategic plan and has overseen the most comprehensive transformation of the company’s history in the fast food sector.
“Chris takes the reins of this great company at a time of strong, sustained performance,’ said Enrique Hernandez Jr., chairman of McDonald’s board of directors, in a statement.
“The board has every confidence that he is the best leader to set the vision and drive the plans for the company’s continued success.”
Easterbrook was appointed as the CEO in March 2015. Easterbrook left McDonald’s in 2011 to become CEO of Britain’s PizzaExpress and then Japanese-style noodle bar chain Wagamama. Two years later he returned, eventually becoming McDonald’s global chief brand officer.
During his tenure, the 52-year-old Easterbrook, has seen McDonald’s pursue an aggressive modernization plan as well as nearly doubled the company’s shares in value.
Easterbrook has enabled the company to rapidly remodel stores to include digital menu boards as well as improve the company’s drive-thru experience through the acquisition of Dynamic Yield, an Israeli company that uses artificial intelligence to give consumers personalized experiences
Easterbrook also rolled back offerings including premium burgers and parts of an all-day breakfast menu after they slowed down restaurant operations.
Kempczinski, who helped implement many of the recent changes as head of US operations, said he would maintain Easterbrook’s focus on technology as CEO and believes the company’s investments will pay off.
Joe Erlinger, who was most recently president of international operated markets for McDonald’s and has been with the company since 2002, will be replacing Kempczinski as president of McDonald’s USA.
