Number 2 Exec at McDonald's resigns

McDonald’s Corporation has announced that their President and Chief Operations Office, Mike Roberts has resigned after 29 years with the company. Roberts, 55, started out with the company as a regional purchasing manager. No reason was given for the resignation of Roberts, who is credited with being one of the people behind the company’s profit recovery. Rumors are that Robert’s resignation is tied to his desire for the company’s CEO position. Ralph Alvarez will take over Robert’s position. Replacing Alvarez as president of McDonald’s USA is Don Thompson, 43, executive vice president and chief operations officer for McDonald’s USA.

It has been reported that employees of McDonald’s were shocked when they received the news in an email sent to them by Roberts. After posting our recent article called Divorcing your boss means never having to say you’re sorry”, I wondered how Mike Roberts handled his resignation.

It appears that Mike’s resignation was executed with the kind of professionalism that earned him a top spot with his employer. In an email to his fellow employees he wrote, “It is with deep regret that I am announcing my resignation, a decision that I believe is right for me, my family, my career and the company at this time”. He added that the decision to leave McDonald’s was “one of the most difficult of my life”.

Roberts agreed to a non-compete agreement that stipulates that he will not go to work for any competitor including Burger King Holdings Inc. and Wendy’s International Inc. for two years. In addition, he agreed that he will not write a book or an article or make any public disclosures about McDonald’s for the next three years without direct permission from McDonald’s CEO.