McDonald's Announces President of McDonald's Europe to Resign

McDonald's Corporation MCD Chief Executive Officer Jim Skinner today announced that Steve Easterbrook will resign as President of McDonald's Europe effective September 30, 2011. Easterbrook, 44, is joining the privately owned Gondola Group and will assume operational leadership of the international restaurant brand PizzaExpress as Chief Executive. The Board of Directors has elected Doug Goare, current Executive Vice President of McDonald's Global Supply Chain and Real Estate Development, as President of McDonald's Europe, effective October 1, 2011. Goare, 59, will oversee operations of more than 7,000 McDonald's restaurants in 40 European countries. A 33-year veteran of McDonald's, Goare will relocate to Geneva, Switzerland, headquarters for McDonald's Europe. He will continue to report to Don Thompson, McDonald's President and Chief Operating Officer.