McDonald’s Easterbrook quits for Pizza Express

McDonald’s has moved quickly to replace European president Steve Easterbrook, who is leaving to head Pizza Express, promoting veteran logistics boss Doug Goare to oversee its 7,000 European restaurants.

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Goare, currently global supply chain and real estate development executive and a 33-year veteran of McDonald’s, will take over the top European job on 1 October following news of Easterbrook’s resignation yesterday (16 August).

Easterbrook is to take on the chief executive role at Pizza Express, vacant since Mark Angela left the pizza chain at the beginning of July.

He will be charged with growing the number of Pizza Express outlets by 200 over the “medium term”, according to a statement from Pizza Express parent Gondola. There are currently 400 outlets in the UK and 20 internationally.

Pizza Express has grown in recent years despite a recessionary environment that has seen consumers cut back on discretionary spending. Gondola claims income has risen by almost a third since 2007.

Easterbrook’s was named president of McDonald’s Europe in November after a brief stint as global chief brand officer.

Prior to this, he was UK chief executive for four years.

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