(Wall Street Journal)
Heather Haddon Nov. 3, 2019 7:19 pm
Steve Easterbrook was fired as chief executive, the fast-food chain announced yesterday, after he engaged in a consensual relationship with an employee that violated company policy, David Yaffe-Bellany of the NYT reports.
“This was a mistake,” Mr. Easterbrook wrote in an email to employees. “Given the values of the company, I agree with the board that it is time for me to move on.”
Mr. Easterbrook was widely credited with turning around McDonald’s. The 52-year-old, who previously ran the company’s British business, emphasized technological innovation, striking delivery deals with third-party apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash, and acquiring smaller companies that specialize in machine learning and artificial intelligence.
During his tenure, the company’s shares nearly doubled in value but traffic to U.S. restaurants has continued to stagnate. He will be replaced by Chris Kempczinski, who most recently served as president of McDonald’s USA.
Mr. Easterbrook’s departure is the latest challenge for the company as it races to keep up with changes reverberating through the food industry.
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