McDonald's

Since 2019, CEO Chris Kempczinski and CFO Ian Borden have driven an execution‑focused strategy (Accelerating the Arches) centered on marketing, core menu, and the digital flywheel while maintaining a conservative balance between reinvestment and capital returns.

The team has navigated exits and restructurings, modernized ways of working, raised fees where appropriate, and expanded loyalty and development targets. This is not a founder‑led story, but it is an operating machine with measurable KPIs, transparent targets, and credible delivery.

Franchisee tensions and regulatory navigation remain ongoing leadership tests.