The leader of the world’s largest foods service company since 2012, Don Thompson is passionate about generating profitable growth by serving great-tasting food and beverages, by being an employer of choice, and by being a good neighbor both in the communities where McDonald’s operates—and as a global citizen.
During his 24 years at McDonald’s, Thompson has helped drive business results and global strategic innovation across the organization. Since joining as an electrical engineer in 1990, he has held a variety of key leadership positions, including President of McDonald’s USA, the company’s largest business segment, and global Chief Operating Officer.
Thompson began his McDonald’s career designing robotics for food transport and control circuits in cooking equipment. When Thompson switched from engineering to operations, he had to learn the basics. For six months, as part of the company’s accelerated development program, Thompson worked in a South Chicago McDonald’s where he was promoted from making french fries to shift manager, then assistant manager and, for a time, co-manager of the facility.
In 1998, Thompson was named manager of the San Diego region, which was ranked 39th out of McDonald’s 40 regions. Thompson catapulted it to No. 2, Black Enterprise reported.
A true advocate of collaboration and believer in the strength of the McDonald’s diverse System, Thompson and his leadership team work closely with the independent men and women who own and operate 80% of McDonald’s restaurants around the world, as well as the corporate staff, restaurant employees, and suppliers who are passionate about creating experiences that satisfy their customers within and beyond the 35,000 McDonald’s restaurants in more than 100 countries.
A leader in the business community, Thompson serves on the Board of Directors for McDonald’s Corporation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Catalyst, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Purdue University. Thompson is also a member of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club, The Economic Club, World Business Chicago and the Brazier Foundation.
Thompson has been recognized for his leadership and passion by the Illinois Holocaust Museum (2012 Humanitarian Award), the Executive Leadership Council (2010 Corporate Award), the Trumpet Foundation (2008 Corporate Executive Award), and Black Enterprise (2007 Corporate Executive of the Year).
Thompson received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and an honorary Doctorate in Science degree from Excelsior College. He resides in the Chicagoland area with his wife and two children.