Management Shifts In McD’s Europe And Global Supply Posts

Major global change at McDonald’s has been unveiled; it isn’t new-store openings, but corporate transitions that are noteworthy.

Doug Goare has been named president of McDonald’s Europe, effective Oct. 1. Goare, currently executive v.p.-McDonald’s Global Supply Chain and Real Estate Development, will succeed Steve Easterbrook.

Easterbrook, an 18-year McDonald’s veteran, resigned to join the privately owned Gondola Group, where he will assume operational leadership and the title of CEO at the London-based Pizza Express chain.

A 33-year company veteran, Goare will oversee operations of more than 7,000 McDonald’s restaurants in 40 European countries. He’ll be based in the Geneva, Switzerland, headquarters for McDonald’s Europe. Goare will continue to report to Don Thompson, McDonald’s president and COO.

“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.”

Jose Armario, current group president of McDonald’s Canada and Latin America, will succeed Goare in his previous post and oversee the company’s $23 billion procurement of food, packaging and premiums, worldwide purchasing and supplier relationships, and food safety and quality systems strategy. Armario will also lead efforts in developing store locations and retain responsibility for all international franchising. Armario will continue to report to Thompson.