McDonald's Corp. announced a leadership shake-up on Wednesday as Jan Fields, president of McDonald's USA for 35 years, will be leaving the company on Dec. 1.
Fields will be replaced by will be Jeff Stratton, the company's global chief restaurant officer. The announcement comes less than a week after the fast-food giant reported its first monthly sales drop in nearly a decade.
A McDonald's spokeswoman said CEO Don Thompson and Fields are long-time friends and that they discussed the need for a change at the top. A number of business factors played a role in the decision, but recent sales figures were not among them, said Heidi Barker Sa Shekhem, a McDonald's spokeswoman.
"We appreciate and salute Jan for more than three decades of inspired leadership and impactful service under the Arches," said Don Thompson, McDonald's president and CEO. "All of us who know Jan will miss her genuine nature and quick-witted humor. We wish Jan the very best."
Fields began her career at McDonald's as a crew member.
"When I started on fries as a crew member, I had no idea where that job would lead," she said. "McDonald's has shaped me as much as I'd like to believe I had a role in shaping it."
Under her leadership, the hamburger giant "made significant nutrition advancements by revamping the Happy Meal last year to include apple slices and smaller, kid-size French Fries; and in September, by voluntarily posting nutrition information on menu boards," the statement said.
