I think for us, to be honest, we just had to catch up. McDonald's new CEO, Chris Kempczinski, seems to be facing low or manageable risk and should do fine - highest chance of success. Chris Kempczinski: Its definitely been an unusual onboarding into this role. . Chris Kempczinski: Yes, a couple of things come to mind. Regardless of the delivery channel deployed, though, we always focus on our customers experiences because customer satisfaction is critical to us. It wasnt obvious where that complexity was, but now that weve discovered it, were committed to keeping our business simple. (Laughs.). First, we have the four pillars of what we call our Corporate Leadership Platform: supporting local farmers and local sourcing, protecting our planet, serving our communities in times of need, and providing jobs and opportunity. The importance of [showing up] every day. Chris Kempczinski: We have many options, including multiple global delivery partners, local delivery companies, and self-delivery. (2019present), Vice president, global strategy, business development, and innovation Its not about you. This is who we are. Leadership in Challenging Times: Chris Kempczinski, President & CEO, McDonalds, The Conference Board uses cookies to improve our website, enhance your experience, and deliver relevant messages and offers about our products. Our executives preserve it. All of this is underpinned by our core values, which are the bedrock of our company. Full Bio Lori Esposito Murray President CED Chris joined McDonalds in 2015 as Executive Vice President, Strategy, Business Development and Innovation. If you think you have reached this message in error, please contact membership@tcb.org, Our records show you are not a Member, and this webcast is only available to Members. 2023 CNBC LLC. Chris Kempczinski Named President and CEO and a Member of the Board. Previous and current McDonald's employees also told the Journal that Easterbrook allegedly had a reputation for flirting with female employees. Prior to becoming CEO, Chris served as President of McDonalds USA, leading the business operations of approximately 14,000 McDonalds restaurants throughout the United States. I dont have all the answers, and if I pretended I did have all the answers, people wouldnt believe me. Mr. Kempczinski had barely warmed his chair in the job when the pandemic struck, closing restaurants around the world seemingly overnight. Got a confidential news tip? CIO Fletcher Previn and his team compressed 10 years of strategy into 10 weeks of execution, reports Philip Delves Broughton. That also opens up a whole bunch of other opportunities for us. Theres a rich trove of best practices out there to learn from. Looking at your recent marketing initiatives, featuring cultural icons like Travis Scott and J Balvin, and the recent launch of Spicy Chicken McNuggets, I have to wonder how a brand as established as McDonalds continually reimagines marketing?I get asked sometimes, What exactly do you do as CEO of McDonalds? It can seem as though the system runs itself. Chris Kempczinski: This is the fun part of the jobto imagine the what ifs. I think about it this way: in the markets that we serve, about 80 percent of the population will go to a McDonalds at least once a year. Chris Kempczinski had been at McDonalds less than five years when he was named president and CEO, in November 2019, rising to the top job after his predecessor was fired for violating company policy on personal conduct. After HBS he became a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group, focusing on consumer products and pharmaceuticals. During an internal McDonald's town hall meeting, Kempczinski vowed that he will look at every senior executive and ask if they "personify the values of our company." I dont think we did enough to embrace how we are a part of culture, Mr. Kempczinski said in explaining the launch of the Travis Scott Meal, a wildly successful venture between McDonalds and the celebrated rapper. Weve been in the Drive Thru business for decades, so I dont want to say that we had any foresight in that. The challenge for us is to decide where to get engaged. We tend to want to socialize with others who are similar to ourselves, so managers can be exclusionary if they are left to choose their own interactions partners. What are your 2021 priorities for staying ahead and nimble? McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said he is spending more time planning so the company is prepared for future executive departures. McKinsey: Thats interesting. It would have been so easy for him to dwell on all the horrible things that had happened to him over the decades. Thats why in China, you find things like bubble tea, which has little tapioca droplets in it. This article was edited by Monica Toriello, an executive editor in the New York office. He describes Mr. Kempczinski as a "business savant," someone who is able to "translate insight into action into results." He also was struck by Mr. Kempczinski's genuine commitment to personal growth and development, as well as his focus on building meaningful connections. Not a day goes by that I dont have a small order of fries. Google learned this lesson with their TGIF gatherings. So I don't have all the answersBut I am going to outline for everybody some principles about how we're going to approach these issues.. chris kempczinski leadership style. New York CNN Business . As someone who eats at McDonalds daily, what is your favorite regular item at HQ?Youve got to double-click one moregive me a day part. Our in-person and virtual events offer unmatched opportunities for professional development, featuring top experts and practitioners. Hopefully reeducating the executives on how to appropriately socialize with employees will be part of Kempczinskis agenda. Nothing about Mr. Kempczinski's ascent surprised Greg Kelly, a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and a friend of Mr. Kempczinski's dating back to university. Our records show that you are a Member of The Conference Board, but you do not have access to this webcast based on your Membership level. Any time youre in a crisis, you can get a little bit short-term focused. And I feel good about what weve done. Said Mr. Kempczinski in the companys recent Investor Update: People expect more from corporations todaya truth that has taken on additional resonance during a year in which climate change, social justice, diversity and inclusion have driven the public conversation . Track the status of job markets across the US through online job listings. When you eat as much McDonalds as I do, you think in day parts. We have some exciting milestones ahead, including Worldwide Convention. Customers are seeking brands that reflect their values and the line between the corporate brand and the consumer-facing brand is blurring. And Kempczinski had been in the role for less than five months when COVID-19 shut down many of McDonalds 36,000-plus dining rooms around the world, sending the companys revenues plunging and generating high anxiety among employees and franchisees. CED Trustees are chief executive officers and key executives of leading US companies who bring their unique experience to address todays pressing policy issues. Whats this we hear about changes to your iconic burgers? Easterbrook and McDonald's Chief People Officer David Fairhurst often partied with staffers after work hours, according to the Journal. Brunswick Partner Jayne Rosefield is Head of the firms Chicago office and Global Consumer Industries Practice. McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski is trying to restore a more professional culture, starting with feedback from key stakeholders and applying the chain's core values across the system of franchisees, suppliers and employees. But this year has definitely been a team effort, and Ive certainly been fortunate in that I have a very experienced team around me. Executive vice president, growth initiatives Given your franchise model, how do you ensure during COVID-19 that restaurants can survive the short term and be in a position of strength for the long term? But the flip side is that theres also greater authenticity. Michael Hsu, Mr. Kempczinskis former boss at Kraft Foods, now Chairman and CEO of Kimberly-Clark, saw the way in which these character traits, coupled with his deep understanding of consumer behavior, drove strong business performance. McDonald's new CEO held a town hall on Wednesday, as the fast-food giant adjusts to an unexpected leadership shakeup. (201415), Senior vice president, US grocery How does the brand remain so cohesive while catering to local tastes?We use the expressionIm sure other companies use it as welltheres freedom within the framework. We want to hear from you. This is a BETA experience. After taking over as CEO in mid-November, Kempczinski asked employees for feedback. The circumstances were unusual. Right now, if you look at where our franchisees are, I feel very good about their health. 5 things you need to know. He has been with McDonalds Corporation since 2015 and is in his second year as president and CEO. We have a big advantage with 40,000 restaurants. Publicado em: . I graduated from college in 91right around the time Nelson Mandela had been released from prison, become President of the ANC, and started negotiations to end apartheid. I get asked sometimes, What exactly do you do as CEO of McDonalds? It can seem as though the system runs itself. In the retail space, I have a lot of respect for how Walmart has engaged with their associates to address questions about their corporate brand. My answer is: ensuring the relevance of the brand. He began his career in brand management at Procter & Gamble, and also held senior positions at PepsiCo, and most recently at Kraft Foods where he was EVP, Growth Initiatives and President, International. One of the things that has defined McDonalds over the decades has been our emphasis on diversity, making sure we have a franchisee population that reflects the US population or the global population. I absolutely love history, so I was thrilled when I had a chance to sit down with McDonald's Corporate Archivist and fellow marathon runner, Mike Bullington | 23 comments on LinkedIn As for digital, I think everybody, not just in our industry, recognizes that digital is transforming how consumers are interacting with brands, how theyre experiencing things. McDonalds new chief executive, Chris Kempczinski is trying to change what has been described as a macho, guys club corporate culture at McDonalds. In following that example, Ive tried to not put a lot of corporate spin and polish on stuff, but to just speak in a pretty open, honest way about how I see things. Kempczinski has every reason to shut this behavior downits exclusionary, its degrading to women, and its just unprofessional. Blog > chris kempczinski leadership style. Second, what if youre a loyal customer? But far more often, its a huge benefit because people just love to talk about McDonalds, and thats something we should lean into. They wantand expectMcDonalds to be a force for good. And under Mr. Kempczinskis leadership, McDonalds is committed to delivering on that expectationbeing defined not just by what they do, but how they do it. Michael Grothaus is a novelist and author. P.S. Examines the health of the US economy from the perspective of CEOs. Some delivery orders are, as you said, initiated directly on the sites of our delivery partners. Using electronic platforms, the managers can interact on their own schedule. McKinsey: Might there come a time when your business is more than just selling burgers and The things you just referenced there are about us getting more aggressive, getting more out of our investment and then embracing our role in culture. "In the past 9 weeks, I have been doing just that.". In the meantime, you'll continue to see and hear from me across the System. Evaluate and optimize the impact of corporate citizenship programs. I wanted to step back and just think about where we could actually make a difference. When you put other people first, I think thats what allows you to stand out. Together, we served over 65 million customers, on average, every day, providing great tasting food faster with more convenience and better service than ever before. Of course, when its no longer a one-way communication, that comes with an added level of risk. I focused on being a good listener to understand how people were feeling and what we could do to support them. Married, with 2 children, Holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelors degree from Duke University, McDonalds This button displays the currently selected search type. I think the important thing is dont try to stand out. And Kempczinski had been in the role for less than five months when COVID-19 shut down many of McDonald's 36,000-plus dining rooms around the world, sending the company . Centers offer access to world-class experts, research, events, and senior executive communities. Customers want to see that the McDonalds they visit locally matches how we act globally. We must now champion and apply them more evenly across the three-legged stool to be even stronger. My very first impression of Chris, and a belief I continue to hold today, is that he is a true values-based leader. Integrity, and doing whats right, is at the core of who he is and how he thinks.. As for anything outside of those topics, we want to be helpful, but its important to recognize that were in the business of selling burgers and fries. And I did feel like wed gotten a little complacentthat we were stuck in a traditional mode, where we were more just broadcasting, as opposed to really engaging our customers in areas that theyre passionate about. Chris is a proud alumnus of both Duke University and Harvard Business School. The McDonalds brand is well known around the world. Kempczinski said three things about McDonald's make him proud: It creates opportunity, builds community and collaborates on solutions. If you're willing to work hard, and live our values, McDonald's can change your life. The Journal said Fairhurst couldn't be reached for comment and a representative for Easterbrook told the newspaper he wasn't available to comment. By Philip Delves Broughton What do we know? We call them the three Ds: Drive Thru, delivery, digital. Total officers declined from . At the end of the year, we asked our employees, Did you feel supported in 2020? and over 90 percent said they felt well supported. But those are areas of uncertainty. Everybody was willing to help you.What is something you learned early on that has carried with you into today? Put simply, he is a leader who at his core "cares a lot." In our top markets, our drive-thru service times are now about 30 seconds faster than they were two years ago. We would have a digital relationship with those customers. In his first town hall as CEO, Chris was clear with his expectation that everyone personify the values of the company, recalls Kevin Ozan, CFO at McDonalds. The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that under Kempczinski's predecessor,. A big part of that will be selling food, but we dont necessarily have to do that in a restaurant; there may be other ways to sell food. But what so impressed me about him was that he was firmly focused on the future, on moving forward. The prior CEO stepped down last year over a compromise of company values, and this year the company has faced accusations of racial discrimination and sexual harassment. We have our core menu: hamburger, cheeseburger, Big Mac, Quarter Pounder. fries? So says Chris Kempczinski, President and CEO of McDonald's Corporation, in this interview with Dr. Lori Esposito Murray, President of the Committee for Economic Development, the public policy center of The Conference Board (CED). Mr. Kempczinski wasnt new to the company but unlike previous chief executives, he hadnt joined the restaurant giant decades earlier, either. It was a tough test for any new CEO. Seventy-five percent of the population across our top markets live within three miles of a McDonalds. Yes. And were definitely doubling down on those. After 65 years of doing this, we still find ways to actually make the product just a little bit better. So I wanted, right from the start, to emphasize and refresh the core values that define who we are as a company. We think we can get even fasterand were also thinking about ways that the digital experience might work in drive-thru. Early on, there was a lot of trepidation: Well, we dont want to be seen as somehow capitalizing on the pandemic. But our communities wanted to understand how companies like McDonalds were supporting them, and our purpose of feeding and fostering communities was so aligned with the need of the moment. Kempczinski, a 51-year-old father of two, is reportedly looking for a new human resources chief to help him clean things up at the top. What are some of your boldest predictions for McDonalds over the next ten years? Ive taken different lessons from all the leaders Ive worked for and admired. If I could go back and do it again, I would be more overt in telling our story. It calls for Kempczinski to meet with Black and brown employees and community leaders in Chicago in the coming days to "tell us what your plan is to address systemic racism at McDonald's and. "We must now champion and apply them more evenly across the three-legged stool to be even stronger.". Given your franchise model, how do you ensure during COVID-19 that restaurants can survive the short term and be in a position of strength for the long term?We were lucky in that McDonalds franchisees came into the pandemic in a very strong position. As you navigated a global pandemic and the rise of extreme social unrest during your first year as CEO of McDonalds, did any particular principle or philosophy guide you? Freedom within the framework gets back to this point of how the brand stays relevant. When I started my career, 30 years ago, marketing was typically well develop a campaign and run it for a full year, then well think about it again in a year. But now were in an always-on marketing environment, driven largely by social media. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. Listen as Kempczinski talks to Dr. Murray about human-centric leadership, how to keep stakeholders resilient in times of crisis, the importance of defining your company purpose, engaging in the public square, and more. I think weve done a pretty good job over the years of striking that balance. When you had a leader that acted in a way that was incongruous with those values, it raised a question: Are we as good as we say we are? Everybody has a clear sense of it. Are there particular mentors or heroes whose words or examples have helped guide you this past year?Theres not one person. '&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= That sense of community is what makes our System so special. We use the expressionIm sure other companies use it as welltheres freedom within the framework. Project leader and consultant Joining as VP, Global Strategy, Business Development and Innovation, it took him only a year and a half to earn promotion to President of McDonalds USA, where he was responsible for the operations of about 14,000 restaurants. So what do you do? When you took on the role, quickly establishing values as a central theme of your leadership, was there a sense that McDonalds needed its values updated?I think its precisely because McDonalds had a very strong core set of values that the issue with my predecessor was as traumatic for the company as it was. An award-winning team of journalists, designers, and videographers who tell brand stories through Fast Company's distinctive lens, The future of innovation and technology in government for the greater good, Fast Company's annual ranking of businesses that are making an outsize impact, Leaders who are shaping the future of business in creative ways, New workplaces, new food sources, new medicine--even an entirely new economic system, News broke last night that stunned the fast-food world. You also have to acknowledge there are things that we dont know. became President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonalds, the worlds largest restaurant company. We also need to be operating in the social-media space much more dynamically. I didnt think that we had contemporized our approach to marketing. As President and CEO of McDonalds, Chris leads the millions of dedicated McFamily members who help create delicious, feel-good moments for everyone. The Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED)uses cookies to improve our website, enhance your experience, and deliver relevant messages and offers about our products. When you took on the role, quickly establishing values as a central theme of your leadership, was there a sense that McDonalds needed its values updated? Rather, this was a moment to double down on what we stand for and make it clear that it applies to all of us equally. He has been with McDonald's Corporation since 2015 and is in his second year as president and CEO. Theres the promise of potentially what youre going to learn but theres also the risk of starting all over. More than 1,000 McDonald's employees have responded via a survey. Chris Kempczinski: I admire how Amazon constantly talks about Day 1; I think thats a great orientation and mindset for us to have at McDonalds. Im a Filet-O-Fish-no-tartar-double-ketchup guy. Chris Kempczinski President and Chief Executive Officer at McDonald's Corporation Greater Chicago Area 62K followers 19 connections Join to follow McDonald's Duke University About As President. There are people who have been at McDonalds their entire career, who maybe started working in our restaurants who are now in some of the most senior positions in the company or who are franchisees running large patches of restaurant. How does the brand remain so cohesive while catering to local tastes? More than 30,000 McDonalds locations around the world now offer delivery. All Rights Reserved. We were lucky in that McDonalds franchisees came into the pandemic in a very strong position. Listen as Kempczinski talks to Dr. Murray about human-centric leadership, how to keep stakeholders resilient in times of crisis, the importance of defining your company purpose, engaging in the public square, and more. Were making sure that were continuing to offer a better experience on these than anybody else. The MyMcDonalds platform is essentially an ecosystem of all the things that you can do via digital touchpoints with McDonaldsthink mobile ordering, payments, delivery, rewards, or deals. We collaborate on SOLUTIONS. Pop cultures a great way to do that; our campaigns featuring [rapper] Travis Scott and [singer] J Balvin have paid off in a big way. Maybe there is a lane for our loyal customers that allows them to go through in a faster way. Kempczinski's 2020 pay is 1,189 times higher than that of the . I had spent most of my career in packaged goods, so I had to learn a new industry. He told employees at a town hall meeting after he took the. Going forward, we expect that many delivery orders will be placed on our own MyMcDonalds platform, providing us with important data to understand our customers preferences and cravings. In India, you have the tikka masala burger. When youve built your business model on diversity and providing opportunities for everyone, and suddenly a human rights issue comes into the public discussion, it would have been a huge miss for us to not put our voice out there. In most major markets, they were at or near record cash flow, which essentially is how much money theyre able to take out of the business. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Some organizations have addressed the time issue by encouraging electronic interactions with employees, either by utilizing social media or in-house systems. Were rolling out this new cooking procedure around the world. There are social issues on which you havent hesitated to speak outfor example, you put out public statements after the killing of George Floyd and after the attack on the Capitol. When you serve as many customers as we do, our customers are society. Reports suggest that their outings included heavy drinking, flirting and physical contact with female employees. "All of this is underpinned by our core values, which are the bedrock of our company," Kempczinski said. Kempczinski has also heard from other stakeholders about McDonald's culture and ethics through meetings with corporate officers, marketing managing directors and the franchise leadership of the chain's International Development Licensed markets. When COVID-19 struck, the first thing that we wanted to do was put some immediate liquidity into the system. McDonald's new CEO attempts to change company's culture, Restaurants see major changes on the menu in 2019. Im hoping its going to stick around. When you had a leader that acted in a way that was incongruous with those values, it raised a question: Are we as good as we say we are? Hed come to McDonalds in 2015 after holding top management positions at Kraft Foods and PepsiCo. The nonprofit, nonpartisan, business-led organization delivers well-researched analysis and reasoned solutions in the nations interest. If we have that level of consumer engagement on our app, could we do even more for them? If we further build out a hybrid delivery model, do we let others, perhaps, ride on our delivery platform? You know what a good Quarter Pounder should taste like. Human Capital Benchmarking & Data Analytics. Were looking to innovate and actually make sure that were doing it better than anybody else. You cant be in a situation where you say, Ive made it to this level or Ive made it to this role. For me, whether it was back as a brand assistant at P&G or now in my role here at McDonalds as CEO, there is a recognition that you constantly have to prove yourself thats something that has carried with me throughout my career.What do you do to stand out? However, shutting down all socialization between senior executives and the rank and file isnt the answer either. chris kempczinski leadership style. McKinsey: Marketing has also played a big role in McDonalds recent financial outperformance. Chris Kempczinski: Prior to 2017, delivery was a $1 billion business for us, largely in Asia. If they dont express a strong bias, I do the Quarter Pounder because thats a great product to calibrate around the world. Youre going to love those grilled onions. Yet Lightfoot hasn't done much to help. In an email to employees, Pichai attributed the cancellation to meeting leaks and dwindling attendance. Our cash flow went down about $2 billion in 2020. By the end of 2019, delivery sales were over $4 billion and we continued to see very strong growth in 2020. It was a great reminder about the embedded cost of complexity in our P&L. Breakfast? As we hit the ground running in 2020, I want to congratulate you, the McDonald's System, on a job well done. Customers are seeking brands that reflect their values and the line between the corporate brand and the consumer-facing brand is blurring.. Mr. Kempczinski had barely warmed his chair in the job when the pandemic struck, closing restaurants around the world seemingly overnight. And what are things that are best left to othersgovernments, other companies, or nonprofits? In this role, he worked closely with our business leaders and franchisees to identify innovative new ideas and best practices to accelerate system growth. Pivot to lunch, I always get the fries. Chris Kempczinski is one of the dynamic leaders on The List of People Shaping Retail's Future 2022 who will be celebrated at the NRF Foundation Honors.