OAK BROOK, Ill. -- McDonald's Corp. has announced that vice chairman and CEO Jim Skinner has informed the board of directors of his decision to retire after 41 years with the company, effective June 30, 2012. The board has elected current president and COO Don Thompson to succeed Skinner as CEO effective July 1, 2012.
"Jim's stellar leadership has driven unprecedented momentum at McDonald's. This success has benefitted our valued shareholders, as McDonald's compound annual total shareholder return was 21% during Jim's tenure as CEO, and market capitalization surpassed $100 billion for the first time in the company's history," said Andy McKenna, chairman of McDonald's board.
"Jim has brought to the table exceptional knowledge of McDonald's restaurant operations and a keen sense of business know-how. We salute Jim for his years of service to McDonald's, and will miss his passion, candor and wit. As we look to the future, the Board has every confidence that Don's strategic leadership and global business insight make him the ideal CEO. His track record of performance as President and COO of McDonald's Corp. and president of McDonald's USA speak to his qualifications to further drive the company's momentum," he said.
Skinner, 67, became McDonald's CEO in November 2004. He was one of the architects of the Plan to Win, the company's strategic framework since 2003. The company said that the plan's emphasis on "being better, not just bigger" has fueled a revitalization for McDonald's, marked by modern, reimaged restaurants; increased menu variety; and global initiatives championing balanced, active lifestyles.
With a focus on the Plan to Win, Skinner has led the company during a consecutive run of nearly nine years of increasing global comparable sales.
"Don Thompson is well prepared for the CEO role, and under his leadership, our company will continue to meet the needs of our 68 million customers around the world every day," said Skinner.
Thompson, 48, became president and COO of McDonald's in January 2010. In this capacity, he has directed global strategy and operations for more than 33,000 McDonald's restaurants in 119 countries. Previously, he served as president of McDonald's USA from 2006 until 2010. In that role, he was responsible for the strategic direction and positive business results of the nearly 14,000 U.S. restaurants.
As a 22-year veteran of McDonald's, Thompson began as an electrical engineer in 1990. Since then, he has held a variety of leadership positions in the U.S. business and global system.
"I'm honored by the board's election," said Thompson. "Jim has been an outstanding leader, mentor and friend. I'm humbled to take the baton as CEO of McDonald's. Our management team is strong and will remain focused on the Plan to Win and on our three global priorities--optimizing the menu, modernizing the customer experience and broadening our accessibility to even more customers. Our franchisees, suppliers and employees are committed to ensuring that McDonald's is our customers' favorite way and place to eat and drink."
Skinner also has resigned from McDonald's board, effective June 30, 2012.
Oak Brook, Ill.-based McDonald's is the world's leading global foodservice retailer with more than 33,000 locations serving approximately 68 million customers in 119 countries each day. More than 80% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local men and women.
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