MCD · 8-K · 20260804PR000069

Leadership Transition

MCDONALDS CORP · 2026-08-04 · Importance 31 · Surprise 42

McDonald’s appointed Skye Anderson President of McDonald’s USA effective August 4, 2026, succeeding Joe Erlinger. Anderson will oversee nearly 14,000 U.S. restaurants and lead the company’s largest market. Before the appointment, she served as U.S. Chief Operating Officer and previously led the U.S. West Zone for four years. During that tenure, comparable sales increased more than 30% across a base of over 5,700 restaurants, while average restaurant unit cash flow rose by $100,000. Erlinger is leaving McDonald’s after more than two decades and will advise Anderson through early 2027.

Key facts

• Erlinger will work closely with Anderson to ensure a seamless leadership transition and serve as an advisor until early 2027. source
• Anderson’s appointment follows a deliberate leadership transition plan initiated earlier in 2026 with her return to McDonald’s USA as Chief Operating Officer. source
• Skye Anderson has been appointed President, McDonald's USA, effective August 4, 2026. source
• Anderson succeeds Joe Erlinger, who has decided to leave the Company after more than two decades with McDonald's. source
• In her role as President, McDonald's USA, Anderson will oversee nearly 14,000 restaurants across the United States. source
• McDonald's Corporation describes McDonald's > NEXT as its strategy to be customers' first choice while unlocking growth and productivity across the System. source
• Skye Anderson has more than 26 years of McDonald's experience. source
• Joe Erlinger led the U.S. business for almost seven years. source