John Betts retiring as McDonald’s Canada president and CEO

June 30, 2020, Toronto, Ont. – McDonald’s Canada has announced that president and chief executive officer John Betts will retire following 12 years at the helm of the Canadian organization.

The company said in a statement that Betts will be best remembered for his relentless focus on innovation and drive to optimize the McDonald’s Canada business model.

He achieved and sustained strong business momentum at McDonald’s Canada with significant increases in annual sales and guest counts, driven by his pursuit of market-leading innovations in guest experience for the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry.

During his time at the helm, Betts led the most significant restaurant brand transformation in the organization’s Canadian history. Under his leadership, McDonald’s Canada modernized the look, feel and function of the majority of its more than 1,400 restaurants across the country.

Significant milestones of the McDonald’s Canada brand evolution during Betts’ tenure include the launch and subsequent expansion of the McCafé brand; the introduction of all-day breakfast; being a founding member of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB), alongside other leading organizations; and spearheading the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

The successes were made possible by substantial ongoing investment in transforming the in-restaurant guest experience and launching the brand into the digital age with McDelivery and the My McD’s mobile app.

“I came into this role 12 years ago recognizing the immense potential of the McDonald’s Canada business, to align franchisees, employees and suppliers under the single focus of delivering the best possible guest experience to the Canadian market,” said Betts. “I am tremendously proud of what we have accomplished together as one team, and our success is a testament to what people and collaboration can achieve. I am confident this success will continue in the years ahead.”

McDonald’s Canada will appoint Jacques Mignault to succeed Betts on Aug. 1, 2020, when he returns to the Canadian business after a successful tenure as managing director of McDonald’s Switzerland. Over the last three years, Jacques successfully led the turnaround of the Swiss market to achieve record results. He focused on modernizing the restaurants and advancing both the digital and McDelivery experience to grow the business and meet the needs of the Swiss consumer.

“I am incredibly excited to be returning home to lead the McDonald’s Canada business. John is truly a visionary and the business achieved remarkable things under his leadership. It is an honour to be continuing his legacy of working as one team to bring our guests the very best,” said Mignault. “Throughout my time in Switzerland, I’ve kept the Canadian team in my heart, and look forward to maintaining the growth of the Canadian business.”