I firmly believe that McDonald's can change the world in a way that no other company can. We had too many instances where a country or market was almost making up the playbook as they went along, and its because we werent as good as we could have been in sharing best practices. When TGIF meetings first started, all the Google employees could fit in a small meeting room. I think weve done a pretty good job over the years of striking that balance. In Conversation: McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that under Kempczinski's predecessor, Steve Easterbrook, the company's culture tolerated late-night socializing between senior managers and rank-and-file employees. (201415), Senior vice president, US grocery Looking at your recent marketing initiatives, featuring cultural icons like Travis Scott and J Balvin, and the recent launch of Spicy Chicken McNuggets, I have to wonder how a brand as established as McDonalds continually reimagines marketing? Another influence was Nelson Mandela. Your investments in Drive Thru and digital in restaurants have proven to be fortuitous, even prescient, amid the pandemic. The MyMcDonalds platform is essentially an ecosystem of all the things that you can do via digital touchpoints with McDonaldsthink mobile ordering, payments, delivery, rewards, or deals. As the leader of McDonald's USA, Kempczinski participated in a lot of the decisions that fueled the company's turnaround. As part of the strategy launch, Mr. Kempczinski articulated a clear vision of where the company will make a greater impact in the world through its renewed purpose to feed and foster communities. Essentially, its a new cooking procedure in the restaurants that allows us to cook a hotter, juicier burger every time. Hopefully reeducating the executives on how to appropriately socialize with employees will be part of Kempczinskis agenda. Ive never forgotten that. "All of this is underpinned by our core values, which are the bedrock of our company," Kempczinski said. When you took on the role, quickly establishing values as a central theme of your leadership, was there a sense that McDonalds needed its values updated?I think its precisely because McDonalds had a very strong core set of values that the issue with my predecessor was as traumatic for the company as it was. One of the things that has defined McDonalds over the decades has been our emphasis on diversity, making sure we have a franchisee population that reflects the US population or the global population. After a dramatic drop in sales in the early days of COVID-19, McDonalds in September reported its greatest same-store sales gain in nearly a decade in the US market. McDonald's hard-partying culture in new CEO's crosshairs COVID-19 has raised the stakes for boards, argues Brunswicks Paddy McGuinness, former UK Deputy National Security Adviser. So says Chris Kempczinski, President and CEO of McDonald's Corporation, in this interview with Dr. Lori Esposito Murray, President of the Committee for Economic Development, the public policy center of The Conference Board (CED). Were going to be transparent with people. In a leaked video, Pichai admitted that Google is genuinely struggling with employee trust. And were going to stay true to our purpose in supporting communities. (19972000), Serves as a trustee of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Eats McDonalds food five days a week; favorite menu items are Filet-O-Fish and the Vanilla Cone. Chris joined McDonald's in 2015 as Executive Vice President, Strategy, Business Development and Innovation. I dont think we did enough to embrace how we are a part of culture, Mr. Kempczinski said in explaining the launch of the Travis Scott Meal, a wildly successful venture between McDonalds and the celebrated rapper. When you look at the career progression that people can have in the retail industry and the career progression that people have at McDonalds, its quite remarkable. fries? Youre going to love those grilled onions. In the US, we gave out roughly 12 million free meals to first responders. (200812), Director, corporate strategy and development But then you do have the flexibility locally to add items that you think appeal to local tastes. Given your franchise model, how do you ensure during COVID-19 that restaurants can survive the short term and be in a position of strength for the long term? And I feel good about what weve done. "In the past 9 weeks, I have been doing just that.". McDonalds new chief executive, Chris Kempczinski is trying to change what has been described as a macho, guys club corporate culture at McDonalds. No More Partying At McDonald's, According To New CEO - Forbes In this current environment, all companies are being asked to define their mission, their higher purpose. Nike's new CEO, John Donahoe, has a potentially mission . But Im now a convert to the spicy. First, we have the four pillars of what we call our Corporate Leadership Platform: supporting local farmers and local sourcing, protecting our planet, serving our communities in times of need, and providing jobs and opportunity. A Conversation with Chris Kempczinski, President and CEO of McDonald's Blog > chris kempczinski leadership style. CED Trustees are chief executive officers and key executives of leading US companies who bring their unique experience to address todays pressing policy issues. Everybody has a clear sense of it. I didnt think that we had contemporized our approach to marketing. (Laughs.). https://www.conference-board.org/events/CED-Distinguished-Leadership-Awards-DinnerFor more than a quarter century, the CED Distinguished Leadership Awards ha. Examines the health of the US economy from the perspective of CEOs. As you navigated a global pandemic and the rise of extreme social unrest during your first year as CEO of McDonalds, did any particular principle or philosophy guide you?Its been important to me that were always connecting the decisions that we make back to what we stand for as a company. US consumers thoughts on the economy, jobs, finances and more. If we further build out a hybrid delivery model, do we let others, perhaps, ride on our delivery platform? How does the brand remain so cohesive while catering to local tastes? Brunswick Partner Jayne Rosefield is Head of the firms Chicago office and Global Consumer Industries Practice. Who is Chris Kempczinski, McDonald's new CEO? 5 things you need to know McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski on COVID-19's Impact | Time McDonald's CEO's comments outrages workers, activists - WBEZ Are there particular mentors or heroes whose words or examples have helped guide you this past year?Theres not one person. Chris Kempczinski had been at McDonald's less than five years when he was named president and CEO, in November 2019, rising to the top job after his predecessor was fired for violating company policy on personal conduct. The CED discussion series, Leadership in Challenging Times, interviews business leaders about the unprecedented challenges facing the nation and how they are helping chart a path forward for both their companies and communities in which they operate. I think everybody has recognized were going to a world thats going to be more contactless, thats going to have more dine-away as opposed to dine-in. A whole group or team needs to be invited to the socializing opportunities with an executive, not just those employees who share the executives interests and hobbies. McDonald's new CEO held a town hall on Wednesday, as the fast-food giant adjusts to an unexpected leadership shakeup. (200003), Boston Consulting Group The Journal said Fairhurst couldn't be reached for comment and a representative for Easterbrook told the newspaper he wasn't available to comment. The context of how I came into the job is important to understand: it was very much a values-based situation. What are some of your boldest predictions for McDonalds over the next ten years? We just have an incredible footprint that lends itself to delivery. I dont have all the answers, and if I pretended I did have all the answers, people wouldnt believe me. What are we uncertain about? Im excited about all the opportunities for us there. Integrity, and doing whats right, is at the core of who he is and how he thinks.. Given your franchise model, how do you ensure during COVID-19 that restaurants can survive the short term and be in a position of strength for the long term?We were lucky in that McDonalds franchisees came into the pandemic in a very strong position. Yet Lightfoot hasn't done much to help. When I started in this role, my commitment to you was to listen and learn across the System. If they dont express a strong bias, I do the Quarter Pounder because thats a great product to calibrate around the world. Clearly heavy drinking and womanizing shouldnt be part of the executive bonding with employees, but organizations should be aware of other issues as well. If we have that level of consumer engagement on our app, could we do even more for them? became President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonalds, the worlds largest restaurant company. If its available, I like a blueberry muffin with that. President and CEO So dine-in will still be important, but I think takeaway channels, like delivery, drive-thru, and order ahead with curbside pickup, will stay elevated for the foreseeable future. McKinsey: Thats interesting. The CED discussion series, Leadership in Challenging Times, interviews business leaders about the unprecedented challenges facing the nation and how they are helping chart a path forward for both their companies and communities in which they operate. Amid all else thats going on, you recently launched a purpose to feed and foster communities? In a recent interview with McKinseys Greg Kelly, Kempczinski discussed his tenure so far and what the next normal might look like for McDonalds. As a brand, you want people to discover you. What are we certain of? Definitely one of the things thats gained focus is the need for communication. For more information on howCEDcollects and uses personal data, please visit ourprivacy policy. Whether youre the CEO or youre working a fry station, if you fail to live up to the values, then you cant stay in the system.. By continuing to use this Site or by clicking "OK", you consent to the use of cookies.OK, On leading during COVID-19: as you would imagine, in a system like ours, where you have not just the company people, but you have a network of suppliers, you have a network of franchisees, you get bombarded with a lot of questions that come in from everybody around the world.