There is very likely a lot that we don't know about Easterbrook's leaving. Statements from the BOD's and Easterbrook himself were highly rehearsed and coordinated. One article indicated that an investigation of this matter went on for several weeks. The prompt promotion of Chris K. was also likely the result of extensive deliberations. The exit of the "People Person" soon after the announcement may or may not have been related to the Easterbrook matter. We may never know more until someone retires and writes a book. However, what we are left with is mass confusion about the direction of the USA business. Many stores have not implemented EOTF and may or may not. Chris K. is going to have his hands full adjusting to his new global responsibilities and his arrogant reputation will precede him. Anyway, Easterbrook had the vision and Chris K. was his "hit man". With that vision gone and Easterbrook's support gone there there is no telling how our business will be impacted. The NOA reduced the roar over "K" and he may have learned something from it. Regardless, he is not qualified for global responsibility, IMO. The USA operators need to be leaders to make MCD stronger than ever. All of this change on the company side will take awhile to settle in.
According to Linkedin, he got his bachelor's in finance that Georgetown, spent four years at a financial firm. Started at MCD in strategic planning in 2002. Worked his way up to run the Atlanta, Ohio, and Indy regions. Went into international in 2013 where he was until this week. It could be said he's Chris K. only with some actual McDonald's experience.
It has been written he's an "operations guy". I'm sure that makes sense to a reporter but in my book that title only goes to people who have actually run restaurants and been responsible for QSC and profits at a store level. .
It is pretty obvious that MCD management has been given the script to say how much they support Chris K. When you hear them say it you will recognize the common theme. The words will change but the message will be that Chris K. is the second coming and because of him our future is brighter than ever. How stupid do they really think we are. The future does look better with a new agency, commitment for a winning chicken sandwich, and a huge push to regain the lost share at breakfast. I'm sure that the NOA see's through this hype and will continue to hold their feet to the fire and call them out when it is necessary. I recommend that you keep your NOA dues current and if you know an operator that is not a member encourage them to join.
I guess my point is that Joe might not be an “operations” guy (which I agree that a person in that position should have spent REAL time running restaurants) but did his reputation as a QSC-VP and Regional GM show he was for the operator. And I will be happy when he takes care of a couple of Chris K “henchmen” that he has running around the U.S.
The new USA President will be walking on eggs and very carefully for the first year. MCD has gotten a glimpse of the new operator organization (NOA) and he will not want to alienate us further. He will want things to settle down and implement better communication. That is, if he is smart. However, the company has said that the direction of the company will not change. I think that he understands that to accomplish those goals his methods must improve over "K's". I hope that the NOA will continue to be proactive using the proven methods of the recent past.
The company keeps saying that operator cash flow continues to grow and that is true up to a point. The question is, is it growing enough? One can have growing cash flow and still be unable to pay the bills promptly. a couple of hundred dollars improvement in cash flow means very little. Higher taxes are coming, supplier costs are increasing, reinvestments in new equipment is coming, it is likely that wages will increase, interest rates will increase, there will be pressure to hold the line on prices. Competition is getting smarter and they will very likely take some share away from us at breakfast. Thus, the increasing cash flow statements are positive and encouraging IF the increase is enough. From what I could see on the slides the new equipment will be expensive and they were careful not to give any ranges in cost. So, keep talk of increasing cash flow in proper perspective.
Your naive, the BOD placed a hatchet man at the helm. It wasnt to quell the waters, but to stir them up. The BOD believes technology is the resurrection to regaining overall restaurant control.. operators have no seat at that table. Yet, they fund their own demiss. Guided by operator leadership, willfully walking them off a cliff.
These consolidating markets is just the beginning.
14 comments:
DA- Link doesn't work
Resistance???? That's the understatement of the decade. Chris K has NO operational experience,is anti-operator, and is a bully. Unfit to be CEO.
There is very likely a lot that we don't know about Easterbrook's leaving. Statements from the BOD's and Easterbrook himself were highly rehearsed and coordinated. One article indicated that an investigation of this matter went on for several weeks. The prompt promotion of Chris K. was also likely the result of extensive deliberations. The exit of the "People Person" soon after the announcement may or may not have been related to the Easterbrook matter. We may never know more until someone retires and writes a book. However, what we are left with is mass confusion about the direction of the USA business. Many stores have not implemented EOTF and may or may not. Chris K. is going to have his hands full adjusting to his new global responsibilities and his arrogant reputation will precede him. Anyway, Easterbrook had the vision and Chris K. was his "hit man". With that vision gone and Easterbrook's support gone there there is no telling how our business will be impacted. The NOA reduced the roar over "K" and he may have learned something from it. Regardless, he is not qualified for global responsibility, IMO. The USA operators need to be leaders to make MCD stronger than ever. All of this change on the company side will take awhile to settle in.
I just tried the link on three different devices and it worked fine. Please let me know if it's still a problem.
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They can quote this anonymous operator; I am opening the over/under on Chris k's CEO tenure at 14 months.
Hardest job in the next six months? Chris K at the worldwide convention.
Does anybody have any feedback about the new US President Joe? Chris K is finally gone but wondering what Joe will bring to the US.
According to Linkedin, he got his bachelor's in finance that Georgetown, spent four years at a financial firm. Started at MCD in strategic planning in 2002. Worked his way up to run the Atlanta, Ohio, and Indy regions. Went into international in 2013 where he was until this week. It could be said he's Chris K. only with some actual McDonald's experience.
It has been written he's an "operations guy". I'm sure that makes sense to a reporter but in my book that title only goes to people who have actually run restaurants and been responsible for QSC and profits at a store level.
.
Oh, and Chris K. is not "gone".
.
It is pretty obvious that MCD management has been given the script to say how much they support Chris K. When you hear them say it you will recognize the common theme. The words will change but the message will be that Chris K. is the second coming and because of him our future is brighter than ever. How stupid do they really think we are. The future does look better with a new agency, commitment for a winning chicken sandwich, and a huge push to regain the lost share at breakfast. I'm sure that the NOA see's through this hype and will continue to hold their feet to the fire and call them out when it is necessary. I recommend that you keep your NOA dues current and if you know an operator that is not a member encourage them to join.
I guess my point is that Joe might not be an “operations” guy (which I agree that a person in that position should have spent REAL time running restaurants) but did his reputation as a QSC-VP and Regional GM show he was for the operator. And I will be happy when he takes care of a couple of Chris K “henchmen” that he has running around the U.S.
The new USA President will be walking on eggs and very carefully for the first year. MCD has gotten a glimpse of the new operator organization (NOA) and he will not want to alienate us further. He will want things to settle down and implement better communication. That is, if he is smart. However, the company has said that the direction of the company will not change. I think that he understands that to accomplish those goals his methods must improve over "K's". I hope that the NOA will continue to be proactive using the proven methods of the recent past.
The company keeps saying that operator cash flow continues to grow and that is true up to a point. The question is, is it growing enough? One can have growing cash flow and still be unable to pay the bills promptly. a couple of hundred dollars improvement in cash flow means very little. Higher taxes are coming, supplier costs are increasing, reinvestments in new equipment is coming, it is likely that wages will increase, interest rates will increase, there will be pressure to hold the line on prices. Competition is getting smarter and they will very likely take some share away from us at breakfast. Thus, the increasing cash flow statements are positive and encouraging IF the increase is enough. From what I could see on the slides the new equipment will be expensive and they were careful not to give any ranges in cost. So, keep talk of increasing cash flow in proper perspective.
Your naive, the BOD placed a hatchet man at the helm. It wasnt to quell the waters, but to stir them up. The BOD believes technology is the resurrection to regaining overall restaurant control.. operators have no seat at that table. Yet, they fund their own demiss. Guided by operator leadership, willfully walking them off a cliff.
These consolidating markets is just the beginning.
WHY isn't there a Operator on the BOD? We operate 95% of the stores.
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