McDonald's Corp, the world's largest hamburger-restaurant chain, named Claire Babrowksi to the new position of chief restaurant-operations officer to improve service and stop a decline in sales outside the US.
Babrowski, now president for Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, will gain global oversight of menus and other operations on Dec. 4, the Oak Brook, Illinois-based company said in a statement.
Chief executive James Cantalupo has reversed a more than yearlong decline in sales at US restaurants since taking over in January by adding new salads to appeal to health-conscious customers. Comparable sales at restaurants abroad have lagged, declining by 0.1 percent in Europe and by 3.9 percent in Asia in the third quarter.
"He's trying to get the whole thing working," said Peter Goldman, who helps manage about US$1 billion at Chicago Asset Management, including about 644,000 McDonald's shares. "For the whole enterprise to be successful, it's going to require getting Asia and Europe" back to earning profit.
Marvin Whaley, president of the North Asia division, will take over Babrowski's responsibilities overseeing business in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the company said. Vice chairman Jim Skinner will add McDonald's Japan Ltd to his duties.
Mats Lederhausen, president of business development, will focus exclusively on McDonald's Partner Brands division, which includes chains such as Chipotle Grill, Donato's Pizza and Boston Market.
Lederhausen will help decide what to do with the division, Cantalupo said in the statement, without elaborating.
Skinner and Lederhausen will report to Cantalupo. Babrowski and Whaley will report to President and Chief operating officer Charlie Bell.
Sales at US restaurants open at least 13 months climbed in the six months ending Sept. 30. Cantalupo revised the menu to counter complaints about quality of food and service.
McDonald's also appointed Richard Floersch to head human resources worldwide, replacing Stanley Stein, who is retiring.
Floersch has been senior vice president of human resources at Kraft Foods International Inc, a subsidiary of Kraft Foods Inc, since 1998.
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