McDonald’s Australia appoints new CEO

Antoni Martinez’s appointment as the new CEO is effective 1 May.

The managing director of McDonald’s Korea and a McDonald’s Australia alumni has been appointed as the new managing director and CEO for McDonald’s Australia, effective 1 May 2022.

Antoni Martinez's appointment as McDonald's Australia's new CEO came after its CEO Andrew Gregory has been promoted as the corporate senior vice president, and global franchising officer, effective on the same date.

Martinez started as a crew person in Melbourne in 2000 before taking senior leadership roles including development director of Southern Region and market director for the Southern Region tasked with the operations, franchising, and marketing for over 300 restaurants.

He was then promoted to managing director at McDonald’s Korea in February 2020.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to McDonald’s Australia. I stepped outside of the Australian market to gain valuable international experience and have watched with a great sense of homegrown pride the continued growth and innovation of the Australian business,” Martinez said.

He added that he will ensure to continue to “feed and foster our communities,” and focus on providing opportunities for the development of their employees’ skills, capabilities, and careers.

Meanwhile, Gregory has been with McDonald’s Australia since 1996 and also started as a crew person and rose up the ranks to Chief Financial Officer before becoming its CEO in 2014.

McDonald’s Australia said that under Gregory’s leadership, the company “delivered consistent and record growth in sales, profitability and market share.” During the pandemic, the Australian business also achieved “strong growth.”

“McDonald’s Australia is one of McDonald’s largest and most successful markets in terms of growth, employment and economic impact. I am proud to be handing the reins of this great company to Antoni at a time of strong, sustained performance,” Gregory said. 

“As I step up and into a global position, I have every confidence that he is the best leader to return home and drive the plans for our continued growth, innovation and success,” he added.