McDonald’s Creates New Customer Experience Team; Appoints Manu Steijaert as First Global Chief Customer Officer

McDonald’s Creates New Customer Experience Team; Appoints Manu Steijaert as First Global Chief Customer Officer

New structure brings together teams responsible for end-to-end customer experience to offer even more convenience and better personalization

(CHICAGO – July 26, 2021) – McDonald's Corporation (“the Company”) (NYSE: MCD) today announced the creation of a new Customer Experience team to transform the way customers engage with the McDonald’s Brand. This team brings together the Company’s Data Analytics, Digital Customer Engagement, Global Marketing, Global Restaurant Development and Restaurant Solutions, enabling McDonald’s to create an unparalleled customer experience at each physical and digital customer touchpoint.

To lead the new team, McDonald’s has promoted Manu Steijaert to the newly created role of Executive Vice President and Global Chief Customer Officer, effective August 1. Steijaert will report to Chris Kempczinski, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“The formation of the Customer Experience team strengthens McDonald’s ability to lead the industry in anticipating and delivering on customer needs at every part of the Brand journey, which increasingly extends beyond the walls of the physical restaurant through digital, delivery and Drive Thru,” said Chris Kempczinski, President and Chief Executive Officer. “As customer needs continue to evolve, we will create a frictionless Brand experience across all our service channels using the insights generated from our increasingly important digital platforms. Manu’s deep understanding of the needs of our customers and his rich perspectives from multiple markets will be invaluable in leading this new team.”

With more than 20 years in the McDonald’s System, Steijaert brings extensive knowledge of McDonald’s global customer base to the role, most recently serving as Vice President, International Operated Markets where he drove a customer-led and growth-focused approach to supporting the country leadership teams in 12 markets.

“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do at McDonald’s, and we have reached a pivotal moment when technology and data have begun to shape nearly every facet of the customer experience,” Steijaert said.  “I am thrilled to lead this new team as we work to create more and better ways to connect with our customers at every touchpoint, transforming the definition of customer interaction.”

Steijaert started his McDonald’s career in 2001 as a field service consultant and held various operations roles before becoming Vice President, Operations for France in 2012, where he led restaurant innovation efforts. In 2015, Steijaert took on leadership of the Netherlands before transitioning to VP, International Operated Markets in 2019. The son of a former Belgian McDonald’s Owner Operator, his first McDonald’s restaurant experience dates back to 1987, when he started working as a crew member at his parents’ restaurants.

About McDonald’s

McDonald's is the world's leading global foodservice retailer with over 39,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 93% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains certain forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as its annual and quarterly reports and current reports on Form 8-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements, except as may otherwise be required by law.
 

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