CEO of McDonald's since 2015, Steve Easterbrook resigned due to engaging in a sexual relationship with an employee. (Image via QSR Magazine)

CEO of McDonald's resigns over sexual relationship with an employee

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Business & Industry
Foods & Service
Nov 04, 2019
2017
After violating the company’s policy, the CEO of McDonald’s, Steve Easterbrook (52), had to resign from his position. On Sunday, the company released an official statement that the 52-year old CEO had violated the company’s policy by engaging in a romantic relationship with one of McDonald’s employees.

One of the world’s largest fast-food chains forbids its managers or employees with more superior positions to engage in a sexual relationship with their subordinates. McDonald’s stated that Easterbrook had shown poor judgment.

In his farewell e-mail to his subordinates and fellow employees, Easterbrook admitted that he had violated the policy by having a relationship with one of his subordinates.

As reported by McDonald’s spokesperson, last Friday, McDonald’s board of directors voted on Easterbrook’s departure, and the full details of Easterbrook’s severance package would be released by today in a federal filing. Easterbrook will also leave the company’s board.

Regarding the name of the employee whom Easterbrook was having a sexual relationship with, McDonald’s declined to reveal. Easterbrook’s attorney also refused.

Easterbrook had been the CEO since 2015. McDonald’s appointed Chris Kempczinski, the President of McDonald’s USA, as the new CEO.

Divorced with three children, Easterbrook had been working for McDonald’s since 1993 as a manager. He left McDonald’s in 2011 to join Pizza Express, and Wagamama before finally returning to McDonald’s in 2015. Easterbrook then became the head of McDonald’s for the United Kingdom (U.K) and northern Europe regions.

McDonald’s shares’ value under Easterbrook went through the roof. As a CEO, Easterbrook was known for revitalizing McDonald’s in terms of food quality by using better ingredients and restaurant management. The Watford-born CEO also expanded McDonald’s delivery system and mobile payment to improve efficiency and convenience.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50283720