CHICAGO, March 14, 2025 — McDonald’s is shifting responsibilities for three key menu components to dedicated category-management teams, a move that could alter the quick-service giant’s procurement practices.
Simultaneously, the franchisor announced that Warren Anderson has been appointed Global Chief Supply Chain Officer.
The moves are part of a management realignment that’s intended to make Big Mac more competitive and agile in today’s marketplace. In announcing the changes, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski asserted the chain is increasingly competing with “specialists,” or chains that are narrowly focused on a single product or type of fare. In a video touting the new set-up, he specifically mentioned KFC and how it is wholly concentrated on chicken.
Toward that end, he said, category managers are being appointed as champions for building sales of three product types: beef, chicken and beverages/desserts. They and their teams will be expected to increase McDonald’s share of sales within those respective categories.
The franchisor did not reveal the category managers’ exact duties.
Only a category manager for beverage/dessert, Charlie Newberger, has yet been appointed, McDonald’s said in announcing the change.
Simultaneous with announcing the shift to a category manager model, McDonald’s disclosed that it is assembling a Restaurant Experience Team, a task force of sorts focused on elevating the in-store experiences of customers, managers and staff alike.
Participants will include personnel focused on the behemoth’s supply chain, along with specialists in operations, development, design, franchising and delivery.
As Managing Editor for IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, Romeo is responsible for generating the group's news and feature content. He brings more than 40 years of experience in covering restaurants to the position.