McDonald's Taps Veteran Anderson to Lead US Push as Growth Slows

McDonald's reported mixed results for its second quarter ended June 30, with adjusted earnings beating analyst expectations while revenue fell short and growth in its largest market remained muted. The company simultaneously named 26-year veteran Skye Anderson as president of its US business, effective immediately, replacing Joe Erlinger after more than six years in the role.

The fast-food giant posted net income of $2.36 billion, or $3.32 per share, compared with $2.25 billion, or $3.14 per share, a year earlier. Adjusted earnings per share reached $3.38 against forecasts of $3.32. Revenue totaled $7.1 billion, missing the $7.13 billion Wall Street had projected. Global same-store sales rose 1.3 percent, in line with estimates, but US same-store sales advanced just 0.8 percent as restaurant traffic declined even while the average check increased.

Company leaders attributed the softer US performance to broader economic conditions affecting diners. Chief executive Chris Kempczinski noted an opportunity to improve results in the home market, where the chain has seen slower momentum than in other regions. Anderson, who most recently served as chief operating officer for McDonald's USA after leading its Global Business Services unit, was chosen for her track record of driving operational changes and sales growth in prior roles, including a four-year stint overseeing the US West Zone where unit cash flow rose by $100,000 per restaurant and same-store sales grew more than 30 percent.

Erlinger will remain with the company as an advisor through early 2027. Kempczinski described Anderson as a proven leader capable of mobilizing the system quickly and said he has repeatedly relied on her for key transformation efforts. Anderson succeeds Erlinger at a moment when the company is seeking to regain traction with cost-conscious American consumers who have pulled back on visits amid higher menu prices.

Shares of McDonald's rose 2 percent in premarket trading following the release. The leadership shift comes after earlier moves this year that placed Anderson in the chief operating officer post for the US division, signaling an internal focus on stabilizing and expanding performance where growth has been hardest to sustain. Analysts have pointed to the gap between rising average checks and falling traffic as evidence that price increases are not fully offsetting weaker customer volumes in a competitive and price-sensitive environment.

The appointment of an insider with deep operational experience underscores the company's preference for continuity while attempting to address specific domestic challenges. Anderson's background in both zone-level operations and corporate efficiency initiatives positions her to implement changes across the US restaurant network. McDonald's has emphasized that its overall playbook continues to deliver results internationally, yet the US slowdown requires targeted attention to restore momentum in the market that generates the largest share of its business.