Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

McDonald’s names new U.S. president

Candice Choi Associated Press

NEW YORK – McDonald’s named a new president for its struggling U.S. division on Friday, marking the second change in the high-profile spot in less than two years.

The world’s biggest hamburger chain says it’s bringing back a longtime McDonald’s executive, Mike Andres, to fill the role effective Oct. 15. Andres replaces Jeff Stratton, who is retiring, and inherits some major challenges.

Stratton, 58, took over in late 2012 and replaced Jan Fields. That shakeup was made shortly after McDonald’s Corp. reported its first monthly sales drop in nearly a decade. Sales in the U.S. have remained weak ever since, with the company facing intensifying competition and changing eating habits. In the April-to-June quarter, the company reported a 1.5 percent sales decline at established U.S. locations. Then for July, it reported a 3.2 percent drop.

McDonald’s, which is based in Oak Brook, Illinois, has blamed its performance on a variety of factors, including its own missteps.

McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson has said the chain is working on fixing basics, such as the speed of service and order accuracy. The company also is pushing to improve the image of its food, in part by introducing items positioned as more premium offerings, such as its new Bacon Clubhouse burger. It also plans to offer mandarin oranges as an option in Happy Meals this fall and says it’s exploring other fruits.