Chris Kempczinski

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Chris Kempczinski
Born
Christopher John Kempczinski

1967/1968 (age 53–54)[1]
EducationDuke University (BA)
Harvard Business School (MBA)
TitlePresident and CEO, McDonald's
Term2019–present
PredecessorSteve Easterbrook
Children2

Christopher John Kempczinski (born 1967/1968) is an American business executive, and the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of McDonald's Corporation.

Early life[]

Christopher John Kempczinski was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio.[2] He is the son of Richard Kempczinski, who was Professor of Surgery and Chief of Vascular Surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center,[3] and Ann Marie Kempczinski (née Campbell), who was a primary school teacher at Terrace Park Elementary in Cincinnati, Ohio.[4] He attended Indian Hill High School in suburban Cincinnati.[3]

Kempczinski earned a bachelor's degree from Duke University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1997.[5][6]

Career[]

Kempczinski started his career with Procter & Gamble in brand management, and worked for four years in its soap sector division, before leaving to attend Harvard Business School (HBS). After HBS he became a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group, focusing on consumer products and pharmaceuticals.[4]

In 2000, Kempczinski joined PepsiCo in its corporate strategy & development group, and in 2006, was VP, Marketing, Non Carbonated Beverages, Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages.[4]

Before joining McDonald's, Kempczinski worked for Kraft Foods as executive vice president of growth initiatives, and president of Kraft International.[7] He left Kraft in September 2015.[6]

Kempczinski joined the McDonald's global strategy team in late 2015, and was promoted to president of McDonald's USA in October 2016 where he oversaw the business operations of approximately 14,000 restaurants.[6][8][9] In November 2019, he succeeded Steve Easterbrook as president and CEO.[10]

In 2021, Kempczincki apologized to employees and the public for private remarks he made about the gun deaths of children at McDonald's. In correspondence with Mayor Lightfoot of Chicago, he blamed parents of the victims: “With both, the parents failed those kids which I know is something you can’t say. Even harder to fix.” [11] Publication of the exchange "sparked outrage."[12] Chicago civic groups and the Service Employees International Union demanded Kempczinski apologize, saying “Your text message was ignorant, racist and unacceptable coming from anyone, let alone the CEO of McDonald’s.” [13]

Personal life[]

As of 2008, Kempczinski is married, with two children.[4] He has run marathons,[14] and as of 2020 was running at least 50 miles a week.

References[]

  1. ^ Haddon, Heather (November 3, 2019). "McDonald's Fires CEO Steve Easterbrook over Relationship with Employee". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  2. ^ Lee, Allen (November 23, 2019). "20 Things You Didn't Know Zbout Chris Kempczinski". Money Inc. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Richard Kempczinski Obituary - Cincinnati, Ohio". Legacy.com. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d "The Advertising Hall of Achievement: 2008 Inductees". American Advertising Federation. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  5. ^ "Bloomberg profile: Chris Kempczinski". Bloomberg Markets. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Morrell, Dan (November 30, 2017). "Happy Meals (Are Here Again)". Harvard Business School Alumni. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  7. ^ "Chris Kempczinski". McDonald's. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  8. ^ Grothaus, Michael (November 4, 2019). "Who is Chris Kempczinski, McDonald's new CEO? 5 things you need to know". Fast Company. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  9. ^ Reuters Staff (November 4, 2019). "Factbox: Meet McDonald's new CEO: Chris Kempczinski". Reuters. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  10. ^ "McDonald's CEO steps down after relationship with employee". Evening Express. Press Association. November 3, 2019. Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  11. ^ "McDonald's CEO sparks outrage with comments about parents of slain Chicago children". Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  12. ^ The Guardian
  13. ^ The Wall Street Journal
  14. ^ Vranica, Heather Haddon and Suzanne (January 5, 2020). "WSJ News Exclusive | McDonald's Looks Beyond Party Culture". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
Business positions
Preceded by CEO of McDonald's
2019–Present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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