McDonald’s has appointed company veteran Skye Anderson as president of its US business, effective immediately.

Anderson will oversee nearly 14,000 restaurants in the company’s largest market and support the implementation of its McDonald’s > Next growth and productivity strategy.

She succeeds Joe Erlinger, who is leaving the fast-food group after more than 20 years with the company, including almost seven years leading its US operations.

Anderson has worked at McDonald’s for more than 26 years and returned to its US division as chief operating officer earlier this year as part of a planned leadership transition.

Her previous roles have included financial leadership positions in Australia, field and regional leadership across the US and the establishment of McDonald’s Global Business Services.

During four years leading the company’s US West Zone, Anderson supported the modernisation of more than 5,700 restaurants. McDonald’s said the region achieved comparable sales growth of more than 30% and increased average restaurant cash flow by $100,000 during her tenure.

Chris Kempczinski, chairman and CEO of McDonald's, said: "Skye combines deep operational discipline with strong financial judgment and has earned the trust of owner/operators, suppliers and employees".

"I've had the opportunity to work closely with Skye throughout much of her career, and I've repeatedly turned to her to lead some of our most important businesses and transformation efforts because she's a proven change agent who can act with urgency to mobilise our system."

Anderson commented: "As we bring McDonald's > Next to life, the US business has a critical role to play in translating our ambition into action for customers, crew and owner/operators".

"Having led the US business myself, I understand the opportunities and challenges ahead. Skye knows that great strategies only matter if they create better outcomes in restaurants. I look forward to working closely with her and the US leadership team to help accelerate performance and unlock the significant opportunity in front of us, and I have tremendous confidence that she is the ideal leader for this next phase of our US business."

Anderson commented: "McDonald's has always been at its best when we harness the strength of our unique system to serve customers and communities. I am honoured to lead the US business and build on the strong foundation already in place."

"Together with our owner/operators, suppliers and employees, we'll remain focused on serving great food, delivering exceptional experiences, earning the right to be our customers' first choice and bringing McDonald's > Next to life across our restaurants every day."