Chris Kempczinski
Christopher John Kempczinski | |
|---|---|
| Born | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation | Corporate executive |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Known for | President, Chairman, and CEO of McDonald's Corporation |
Christopher John Kempczinski is an American corporate leader currently holding the positions of president, chairman, and chief executive officer (CEO) at McDonald's Corporation.
Early life and education
Born in Boston and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kempczinski is the son of Richard Kempczinski, who was a vascular surgery chief and professor at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and Ann Marie Kempczinski (), who taught at a primary school in Cincinnati. He completed his secondary education at Indian Hill High School in 1987.
Kempczinski obtained his undergraduate degree from Duke University in 1991, followed by an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1997. He has Polish heritage.
Career
Kempczinski launched his professional journey at Procter & Gamble, where he spent four years managing brands within the soap division before pursuing his MBA at Harvard Business School. After completing his graduate studies, he worked as a management consultant with the Boston Consulting Group, specializing in consumer goods and pharmaceutical sectors.
In 2000, he transitioned to PepsiCo, joining their corporate strategy and development team. By 2006, he advanced to Vice President of Marketing for the Non-Carbonated Beverages Division of Pepsi-Cola North America.
Prior to joining McDonald's, Kempczinski held the role of executive vice president for growth initiatives and president of Kraft International at Kraft Foods, departing in September 2015.
He became part of McDonald's global strategy team later that year and was promoted to president of McDonald's USA in October 2016, overseeing operations across roughly 14,000 locations. Following the dismissal of Steve Easterbrook in November 2019 due to policy violations, Kempczinski assumed the roles of president and CEO. His early tenure emphasized fostering a more professional environment among leadership and employees.
In November 2020, he introduced "Accelerating the Arches," a digital-focused sales plan prioritizing drive-thru service, home delivery, and order pickup. This initiative evolved into 'Accelerating the Arches 2.0' in 2023, further advancing delivery systems, drive-thru efficiency, and expansion efforts.
In 2021, Kempczinski issued an apology after remarks attributing Chicago's gun violence affecting youth to parental responsibility provoked significant backlash from community organizations and labor unions demanding accountability.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he halted operations at all McDonald's-owned outlets in Ukraine while maintaining employee wages. Subsequently, he declared a complete withdrawal from Russia, affecting 853 restaurants and approximately 62,000 workers.
During a 2022 address to the Economic Club of Chicago, Kempczinski highlighted concerns about crime's detrimental effects on business environments and called for collaborative public–private initiatives to enhance security.
As of March 2024, he also holds the position of McDonald's chairman.
Compensation
Kempczinski earned a total compensation package valued at $20 million from McDonald's in 2021. By 2023, his remuneration slightly decreased to $19.2 million, equating to 1,212 times the median employee salary within the company that year.
Recognition
He has been honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Indian Hill Foundation and recognized by the NRF Foundation—affiliated with the National Retail Federation—as an influential figure shaping the future of retail.
Board memberships and affiliations
- Chairman of the Board of Directors at McDonald's Corp.
- Member of the Board of Directors at Procter & Gamble
- Trustee for RMHC
- Participant in The Business Council
Personal background
Kempczinski is married and has two children. He has completed marathons and, as of 2020, maintained a weekly running routine covering no less than 50 miles.