McDonald's names Doug Goare President of McDonald's Europe

McDonald’s Corporation Chief Executive Officer Jim Skinner today announced that Steve Easterbrook will resign as President of McDonald’s Europe effective September 30, 2011. Easterbrook, 44, is joining the privately owned Gondola Group and will assume operational leadership of the international restaurant brand PizzaExpress as Chief Executive.

 “It’s been a real privilege to lead McDonald’s in Europe and in the UK prior to that,” said Easterbrook. “In this time we have made many changes to our business that are clearly appreciated by our customers and staff. I leave knowing that this work will continue and I wish my colleagues every success.”

 “On behalf of everyone at the Golden Arches, I would like to thank Steve for his 18 years of service,” said Skinner. “We will miss his passion for the Brand, and we wish him well as he pursues this new opportunity.”

   The Board of Directors has elected Doug Goare, current Executive Vice President of McDonald’s Global Supply Chain and Real Estate Development, as President of McDonald’s Europe, effective October 1, 2011. Goare, 59, will oversee operations of more than 7,000 McDonald’s restaurants in 40 European countries. A 33-year veteran of McDonald’s, Goare will relocate to Geneva, Switzerland, headquarters for McDonald’s Europe. He will continue to report to Don Thompson, McDonald’s President and Chief Operating Officer.

 “I’m honored for the opportunity to lead a great management team  in Europe focused on our customers, committed to our people and united with our franchisees, as we continue to drive our business and build our brand,” said Goare.

“Doug has led our strategic efforts for both global supply chain and restaurant development in Europe and around the world,” said Thompson. “I’m confident that his strong management and operations experience, his deep working knowledge of our business, and his subject matter expertise will bolster his leadership of McDonald’s Europe.”