Chris Kempczinski and a closer look at the executive behind McDonald’s growth
Chris Kempczinski is the leader behind McDonald’s remarkable growth. He has held senior roles in top global companies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he steered McDonald’s through challenges and boosted sales. This article takes a closer look at the executive driving one of the world’s largest restaurant brands.
Source: Instagram
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Chris Kempczinski has led McDonald’s as CEO and chairman, guiding the company through major global strategies.
- He has been instrumental in digital transformation and initiatives like Accelerating the Arches.
- His career spans top roles at Procter & Gamble, Boston Consulting Group, PepsiCo, and Kraft Foods.
- Kempczinski maintains a focus on professional culture, leadership standards, and operational growth while keeping his family life private.
Chris Kempczinski’s profile
Full name | Christopher John Kempczinski |
Date of birth | September 26, 1968 |
Zodiac sign | Leo |
Place of birth | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | President and CEO, McDonald’s Corporation |
Predecessor | Steve Easterbrook |
Ethnicity | White Caucasian |
Sexuality | Straight |
Hair colour | Light Brown |
Eye colour | Blue |
Age | 51 years |
Gender | Male |
Weight | 72 kg ( 158 lbs) |
Height | 1.75m |
Shoe size | 9 (U.K.) |
Schools | Indian High School |
University | Duke University, Harvard Business School |
Father | Richard Kempczinski |
Mother | Ann Marie |
Relationship | Married |
Children | 2 |
Net worth | $10 million |
Salary | $19.2 million |
Who is Chris Kempczinski?
Chris Kempczinski is an American business executive and the chairman, president, and chief executive officer of McDonald’s. He has led the global fast food company since November 2019, overseeing one of the world’s largest restaurant brands.
Early life
Christopher John Kempczinski was born on September 26, 1968, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. Details about Chris Kempczinski’s parents show a strong academic background. His father, Richard Kempczinski, was a professor of surgery and Chief of Vascular Surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Centre. His mother, Ann Marie, also known as née Campbell, was a primary school teacher at Terrace Park Elementary in Cincinnati.
Chris Kempczinski’s education began at Indian Hill High School in suburban Cincinnati. He later earned his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and completed his master’s degree at Harvard Business School in 1997.
Source: Original
Career
Kempczinski began his career at Procter & Gamble (P&G). He worked in brand management and spent four years in the soap division. He later left to attend Harvard Business School.
After completing his MBA, he joined Boston Consulting Group. He worked as a management consultant, focusing on consumer products and pharmaceuticals.
In 2000, he moved to PepsiCo. He worked in corporate strategy and development. In 2006, he became vice president of marketing for non-carbonated beverages at Pepsi Cola North America.
Kempczinski later joined Kraft Foods. He served as executive vice president of growth initiatives. He was also president of Kraft International. He left the company in September 2015.
He joined McDonald’s Corporation later in 2015 as part of the global strategy team. In October 2016, he was promoted to president of McDonald’s USA. He oversaw operations for about 14,000 restaurants.
In November 2019, he became president and chief executive officer after Steve Easterbrook’s dismissal for violating company policy. Early in his tenure, Kempczinski pushed for a more professional corporate culture. He placed strong emphasis on leadership standards and human resources.
In 2020, he launched the Accelerating the Arches strategy. It focused on drive-thru, delivery, and digital sales. In 2023, McDonald’s introduced Accelerating the Arches 2.0 with renewed focus on growth and convenience. As of 2024 and continuing into 2026, Kempczinski also serves as chairman of McDonald’s.
Source: Instagram
Who is Chris Kempczinski's wife?
Details about Chris Kempczinski’s family remain mostly private. He is married, but his wife’s name and professional background have not been publicly disclosed. Kempczinski has chosen to keep his marriage out of the public eye, focusing media attention on his career and leadership at McDonald’s.
Christopher Kempczinski’s net worth
The American business executive is worth around $10 million as of 2026. This includes his assets, cash and income. Meanwhile, Chris Kempczinski’s salary is estimated at $19.2 million annually.
What happened to the black CEO of McDonald's?
McDonald’s has not had a black CEO. The company’s leadership has historically been held by executives of other backgrounds.
Did the original McDonald's brothers get royalties?
The McDonald brothers sold their business to Ray Kroc in 1961 and did not receive ongoing royalties from the global expansion.
Christopher John Kempczinski’s fast facts
- Does Chris Kempczinski have kids? Yes. He has two children.
- What race is Chris Kempczinski? He is a Caucasian male.
- How rich is Chris Kempczinski? The successful businessman's net worth as of 2026 is $10 million.
- Where does Chris Kempczinski live? He lives in Chicago with his wife and their two children.
- Does Chris Kempczinski eat at McDonald's? Yes, he eats at McDonald's almost every day.
- What is Chris Kempczinski's salary? He has a wage of $19.2 million annually.
- How did Chris Kempczinski become CEO? After the former CEO Steve Easterbrook left the company due to a relationship with an employee, Chris became the CEO.
- Who is Chris Kempczinski on the board of directors? He serves on the board, and he is also the company’s chairman, president, and chief executive officer.
- What is Chris Kempczinski's religion? His religion has not been publicly disclosed.
McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski has succeeded as the president and CEO of the mega-company. Despite pursuing a course in business, Chris seems to have a talent for management. He has continued to be responsible for driving growth strategy and ensuring that McDonald’s values are embedded throughout the company’s system.
Briefly.co.za recently shared the article, Amal Clooney’s net worth and career: How rich is George Clooney’s wife Amal Clooney is a British-Lebanese human rights barrister and the wife of American actor George Clooney.
She practices at Doughty Street Chambers and holds senior international legal and academic appointments. Find out her exact net worth.
Source: Briefly News
Salma Rashid Salma Rashid is a journalist with over three years experience in the digital world space. She holds a Degree in Purchasing and Procurement Management from Mount Kenya University. Salma has been writing for Briefly since 2019 and has grown to become a specialist at creating stimulating blog posts. Email: salmarashidabdul@gmail.com
Sharon Boit (Lifestyle writer) Sharon J. Boit is a creative writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience. She began her career as a project manager and researcher at the Center for Urban Research and Innovations, University of Nairobi. Sharon has written articles and blog posts for MSN News, Ihamba Adventures, and Industry Biz. She joined Briefly.co.za as a Lifestyle Writer in October 2024, covering entertainment, sports, education, and finance. You can reach Sharon J. Boit by email at boit@gmail.com.
