Following a 12-year tenure as the head of McDonald’s Canada, John Betts will be succeeded by Jacques Mignault.
The president and CEO of McDonald’s Canada, John Betts, has announced retirement after 12 years at the helm of the Canadian organization. Throughout his tenure, Betts led significant restaurant evolutions, including growth in annual sales and guest counts, as well as modernizing the look and feel of more than 1,400 locations throughout Canada.
Betts also played a role in the launch, success, and growth of the McCafe brand, the introduction of the All-Day Breakfast, and was a founding member of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB).
“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,” said John Betts. “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.”
Betts’ journey with McDonald’s began back in 1970, when he joined as a crew member in Southampton, New York; three years after the brand entered Canada. His career growth led to increased responsibility in operations, field service, training, and purchasing throughout the U.S., before leading the Canadian arm of the business in 2008.
McDonald’s Canada will appoint Jacques Mignault to succeed John Betts at the start of August 2020. Over the last three years, Mignault has worked as the managing director of McDonald’s Switzerland, and led the turnaround of the Swiss market to achieve record results.
“I am incredibly excited to be returning home to lead the McDonald’s Canada business,” said Jacques Mignault. “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.”
