First Black McDonald's CEO Credits Diversity for Brand's Success

55 percent of McDonald's food purchases are made by minorities.

The first African American CEO in McDonald's history is crediting diversity for the brand's success, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Don Thompson, who officially takes over the position this summer, says the embracing of different cultures and races has helped the hamburger chain continue its successful run.

At the Chicago Urban League annual luncheon where he was the keynote speaker, Thompson talked about the company’s operating income growing 10 percent last year and earnings per share growing 11 percent.

Thompson also detailed how half of McDonald’s' board is made up of women and minorities, and how the company has been recognized as among the top companies for multicultural female managers.

He also mentioned that forty-five percent of McDonald’s owner-operated franchisees are women- and minority-owned companies, and 55 percent of McDonald’s food and paper purchases are made from minority - and women-owned vendor companies giving them a big slice of McDonald’s' more than $9 billion annual shopping bill in the U.S.

“Our intent to reflect the demographics of the customers we serve has never been stronger, and that’s something that we do because it’s a business imperative…If you have a diverse team, your business results will be much better. That’s why we were No. 1 on the Dow last year," concluded Thompson.

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