Skye Anderson president of its U.S. business

McDonald's has appointed veteran Skye Anderson as the new leader of its U.S. business, effective immediately. The move comes as the company seeks to appeal to budget-conscious customers in its largest market. Anderson, a McDonald's company veteran with 26 years of experience, will take over from Joe Erlinger, who has held the position for over six years, and will continue to serve as an advisor through early 2027.

Anderson's appointment was welcomed by McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski, who expressed his confidence in her ability to drive performance and capitalize on the significant opportunities ahead. In the past, Anderson has held various key roles within the company, including leading McDonald's Global Business Services segment and overseeing the U.S. West Zone. Under her guidance, she increased the average restaurant unit cash flow by $100,000 and achieved more than 30% same-store sales growth in that region.

During the second quarter, McDonald's surpassed Wall Street's earnings estimates but fell short of revenue expectations set by analysts. Despite this, U.S. same-store sales grew by a mere 0.8%, and customer traffic to domestic restaurants declined. While McDonald's has generally outperformed its U.S. competitors by focusing on value meals and promotional offers, the company must continue to outshine its recent successes to boost same-store sales.

In June, McDonald's unveiled a new growth strategy that emphasizes menu innovation, consumer-centric brand engagement, and improved restaurant design.