McDonald’s Aims to Improve Service and Food, and Chose a New U.S. Boss to Help
**Skye Anderson is taking over as the chain’s U.S. president; Joe Erlinger, who previously held the role, will depart as the company looks to bring “focus and urgency” to its largest market.**
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## The Changing of the Guard at the Golden Arches
McDonald's announced on Tuesday that company veteran Skye Anderson has been named president of its U.S. business, effective immediately . The leadership change comes as the fast-food giant looks to accelerate performance in its home market, which has been showing signs of sluggish growth .
Anderson, who has been with McDonald's for 26 years, succeeds Joe Erlinger, who has led the U.S. business for more than six years . Erlinger will remain with the company as an advisor through early 2027 to ensure a smooth transition .
## The Numbers Behind the Move
McDonald's U.S. same-store sales rose just 0.8% in the second quarter—the slowest growth since the start of 2025 . While the company's global playbook appears to be working, CEO Chris Kempczinski acknowledged that the U.S. market needs a boost.
"While our playbook is working around the world, we see an opportunity to raise the bar in the U.S. and accelerate performance in our largest market," Kempczinski said in a statement . "Skye Anderson's appointment today as president of McDonald's USA will bring focus and urgency to these efforts."
The company's traffic to U.S. restaurants fell during the quarter, even as average check sizes grew, as customers bought pricier items . The slowdown reflects increased pressure on spending by lower-income consumers, who make up a significant portion of McDonald's customer base .
## Anderson's Proven Track Record
Anderson is no stranger to turning around underperforming operations. The company notes that during her four-year tenure as head of McDonald's U.S. West Zone, she helped drive comparable sales growth of more than 30% and increased average per-restaurant cash flow by $100,000 .
Most recently, Anderson was named chief operating officer for McDonald's USA earlier this year. Before that, she led the company's Global Business Services segment, which was created to make corporate operations more efficient . Her career also includes finance leadership in Australia, where she served as CFO of McDonald's Australia .
"I've had the opportunity to work closely with Skye throughout much of her career, and I've repeatedly turned to her to lead some of our most important businesses because she's a proven change agent who can act with urgency to mobilize our system," Kempczinski said .
## The Challenges Ahead
Anderson will oversee nearly 14,000 McDonald's locations across the United States as the company implements its new "McDonald's NEXT" global growth strategy . The strategy focuses on four pillars: menu optimization, consumer engagement, restaurant experience upgrades, and redefining hospitality .
Key initiatives under the new strategy include:
- **AI-powered drive-thrus**: McDonald's is testing Archy, a Google-powered voice assistant that takes orders in English and Spanish. Five test stores have processed over 1 million transactions with about 90% of orders completed without human escalation .
- **Menu innovation**: The company is upgrading iconic items like burgers and fries while expanding in chicken, beef, and beverages to compete with emerging specialists .
- **Value perception**: Customer surveys show the percentage of U.S. consumers who believe McDonald's offers good value has fallen from 55% in 2020 to about 40% in 2024 . Winning back cost-conscious diners will be a priority.
## A Planned Transition
Despite the timing with sluggish sales, McDonald's says the leadership change was part of a deliberate transition plan set in motion earlier this year when Anderson was brought back to the U.S. as chief operating officer .
Anderson's appointment reflects the company's focus on "improving everyday restaurant experience, strengthening value offerings for customers and driving long-term profitable growth," the company said in a statement .
As McDonald's works to regain momentum in its largest market, the new U.S. president will be tasked with translating the company's global ambitions into action at the local level.
"Having led the U.S. business myself, I understand the opportunities and challenges ahead," Kempczinski said. "Skye knows that great strategies only matter if they create better outcomes in restaurants."
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## Frequently Asked Questions
**Q: Who is Skye Anderson?**
A: Skye Anderson is a 26-year McDonald's veteran who was most recently chief operating officer for McDonald's USA. She previously led the company's West Zone, where she drove same-store sales growth of more than 30% and increased per-store cash flow by $100,000 .
**Q: Why did Joe Erlinger leave?**
A: Erlinger is leaving the company after more than two decades at McDonald's, including nearly seven years leading the U.S. business. He will remain as an advisor through early 2027 to ensure a smooth transition .
**Q: What is McDonald's NEXT?**
A: McDonald's NEXT is the company's new global growth strategy announced in June 2026. It focuses on menu optimization, consumer engagement, restaurant experience upgrades (including AI), and redefining hospitality .
**Q: How did McDonald's perform in Q2 2026?**
A: McDonald's U.S. same-store sales rose just 0.8% in the second quarter, the slowest growth since the start of 2025. Traffic to U.S. restaurants declined, even as average check sizes increased .
**Q: What are the key challenges Anderson faces?**
A: Anderson faces challenges including sluggish U.S. sales growth, declining traffic, increased pressure on lower-income consumers, and the need to implement the McDonald's NEXT strategy across nearly 14,000 U.S. locations .
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## Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Restaurant strategies, leadership appointments, and performance metrics are subject to change. Please verify all information with official McDonald's communications before making any decisions.
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