McDonald’s Names Skye Anderson President of Its US Business
Synopsis
The 26-year company veteran will oversee nearly 14,000 US restaurants, succeeding Joe Erlinger as McDonald's pushes its NEXT growth strategy.
Key Highlights
- Skye Anderson named president of McDonald’s USA, effective immediately.
- She takes over from Joe Erlinger, who is departing after more than 20 years with the company.
- Anderson will manage nearly 14,000 locations of McDonald’s in America.
- Erlinger will serve as an adviser until early 2027 to assist with the leadership transition.
Immediately effective, McDonald’s Corporation announced the appointment of Skye Anderson to the post of President, McDonald’s USA.
Anderson, who joined McDonald’s more than 26 years ago, will head the company’s biggest market and manage close to 14,000 restaurants in the U.S. She will also be involved in guiding McDonald's > NEXT, the company's initiative focused on enhancing restaurant experience and creating long-term growth through customer value.
She succeeds Joe Erlinger, who is leaving the company after more than 20 years at McDonald’s, including nearly seven years leading its U.S. business. Anderson succeeded her earlier return this year as Chief Operating Officer of McDonald’s USA as part of a planned leadership transition.
Anderson Has Over 20 Years of Experience
Anderson has built the trust of owner-operators, suppliers and employees throughout her career. She has significant operational and financial experience. She has led some of the most important transformation initiatives across the business.
Anderson has served in a variety of leadership positions within finance in Australia, field and zone operations in the United States; Global Business Services; and most recently as chief operating officer, McDonald’s USA.
Overall, she spent four years managing the company’s U.S. West Zone, where she supported more than 5,700 restaurants and contributed to comparable sales growth greater than 30% and average restaurant unit cash flow growth of $100,000.
Anderson said she was excited to lead the U.S. business and will continue collaborating with owner-operators, suppliers and employees to deliver on customer experience, restaurant improvements and implementing the McDonald’s > NEXT strategy.
A Statement from the Company to Thank Joe Erlinger for his Leadership
Joe Erlinger, who spent more than 20 years at the company, was thanked for his contributions. Erlinger has also helped steer McDonald’s USA through a post-2015 era of significant change with an emphasis on digital and tightening the franchise system and operational foundation, he said.
Erlinger, who will stay at the company until early 2027 as an adviser, will collaborate with Anderson on a seamless leadership transition.
Source: Corporate McDonald's
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