TORONTO – McDonald’s Canada announced the appointment of Jacques Mignault to the position of president and chief executive officer, replacing John Betts, who is retiring on Aug. 1 after leading the company for 12 years. Mignault will return to Canada after working as managing director of McDonald’s Switzerland.
“I am incredibly excited to be returning home to lead the McDonald’s Canada business,” Mignault said. “John is truly a visionary and the business achieved remarkable things under his leadership. It is an honor to be continuing his legacy of working as one team to bring our guests the very best. 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.”
While leading McDonald’s Canada, Betts worked on a major restaurant branding overhaul in the company which was part of the company modernizing more than 1,400 restaurants in Canada.
His career with McDonald’s began in 1970, when he worked as a crew member in Southampton, New York, Betts has worked several roles in operations, field service, training and purchasing throughout the US before becoming the Canadian executive in 2008.
Achievements under Betts’ leadership include the expansion of the McCafé brand, the introduction of All-Day Breakfast, being a founding member of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB), and heading the company’s sustainability commitments.
Betts also oversaw transformations to the in-restaurant guest experience and helped launch the McDelivery and My MCD’s mobile apps.
“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,” Betts said. “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.”
