Don Thompson, 43, has been promoted to chief operations officer for McDonald’s USA.
“I am extremely excited about the new role,” says Thompson. “My focus will be on intensifying our already aggressive focus on operational excellence and leadership marketing to bring an even higher level of quality, service, cleanliness, and value to all of our guests. By working with the great employees, entrepreneurial franchisees, and innovative suppliers across the system, we will achieve our goal of being our customers’ favorite place and way to eat.”
Thompson now oversees the company’s U.S. field operations. Previously, he was executive vice president and innovation orchestration leader for McDonald’s Restaurant Solutions Group. McDonald’s has been forced to make major management changes due to the recent deaths of CEOs Charlie Bell and Jim Cantalupo.
“Don’s 15 years in the McDonald’s system and his most recent leadership position in the global business prepared him well for this expanded leadership role here in the U.S.,” stated Jim Skinner, chief executive officer of McDonald’s.
Thompson’s promotion also shows the company’s commitment to diversity, says Reggie Webb, chair of the National Leadership Council, which represents McDonald’s U.S. franchises.
“[His appointment] as the first African American chief operations officer demonstrates that McDonald’s truly values diversity and understands it as an essential business driver.”