Chicago — McDonald’s Corporation has promoted Skye Anderson, a company executive with more than 26 years of McDonald’s experience, to president, McDonald’s USA, effective Aug. 4. She succeeds Joe Erlinger, who has decided to leave the company after more than two decades with McDonald’s, including almost 7 years leading the U.S. business. Anderson most recently was chief operating officer.
Anderson’s appointment reflects the company’s focus on improving everyday restaurant experience, strengthening value offerings for customers and driving long term profitable growth across the U.S. business. In this role, she will oversee nearly 14,000 restaurants across the United States and lead the company’s largest market as the organization advances McDonald’s > NEXT, its strategy to be customers’ first choice while unlocking growth and productivity across the system.
Anderson’s appointment follows a deliberate leadership transition plan initiated earlier this year with her return to McDonald’s USA as chief operating officer, with the goal of helping ensure continuity and to prepare her to lead the company’s largest market.
“Skye combines deep operational discipline with strong financial judgment and has earned the trust of owner/operators, suppliers and employees,” says Chris Kempczinski, chairman and chief executive officer, McDonald’s Corporation. “I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Skye throughout much of her career, and I’ve repeatedly turned to her to lead some of our most important businesses and transformation efforts because she’s a proven change agent who can act with urgency to mobilize our system.”
Few leaders have worked across as many parts of the McDonald’s system as Anderson. Her career reflects the breadth of the McDonald’s system and gives her a unique perspective on the dynamics of the U.S. business and the opportunities ahead. Her experience spans finance leadership in Australia, field and zone leadership across the United States, the creation of the company’s Global Business Services and, most recently, leadership of U.S. operations as chief operating officer.
Erlinger will work closely with Anderson to ensure a seamless leadership transition and serve as an advisor until early 2027.
McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with over 45,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 95% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners.
SOURCE: McDonald’s Corporation