Charlie Bell (businessman)
| Charles Hamilton Bell AO | |
|---|---|
Charlie Bell promoting McDonald's
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| Born |
7 November 1960 Kingsford, Australia |
| Died | 17 January 2005 (aged 44) Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Education | Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School, Marcellin College Randwick |
| Occupation | President and CEO, McDonald's |
| Title | Order of Australia |
| Spouse(s) | Leonie |
| Children | Alex |
| Parent(s) | Mother: Margaret Father: Charlie |
| Website | The Charlie Bell Scholarship Program |
Charles Hamilton "Charlie" Bell AO (7 November 1960 – 17 January 2005) was an Australian business executive. He served as president of the American-based fast-food chain McDonald's from December 2002, and additionally as chief executive officer from April to November 2004. Bell was the first non-American and the youngest person to hold that position.
Bell grew up in Sydney, Australia, and attended Marcellin College Randwick. Bell began his career at McDonald's at the age of 15, working at the Kingsford restaurant in Sydney. At the age of 19, he became the youngest store manager in Australian McDonald's history. At age 29 he was on the board of the Australian subsidiary, becoming its managing director at 33.
He quickly rose through the ranks of corporate McDonald's. Bell was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer, when Jim Cantalupo (former McDonald's International CEO) returned to the company on January 1, 2003 as Chairman and CEO of corporate McDonald's to lead a turnaround effort. Under Cantalupo's predecessor Jack M. Greenberg, the company suffered earnings declines in each of the last seven quarters. Shareholders were initially not impressed with Cantalupo and Bell's appointments as it suggested that the company was "inbred". However, Cantalupo "devised a plan" which included "accelerating the introduction of healthier foods, such as salads", and Bell's implementation of this policy led to the company's recovery in the succeeding 12 months. When Cantalupo died suddenly on 19 April 2004, Bell was appointed CEO while retaining his title of president.
During Bell's short time as CEO of the company, its greatest problem was criticism of the healthiness of its food, which was exacerbated by the release of the documentary film Super Size Me. Bell led efforts to add healthier choices to the McDonald's menu, and allow parents to substitute juice and apple slices for fries and soft drinks for their children. The "Supersize" option was also eliminated. During his brief tenure, his initiatives resulted in a successful turnaround in McDonald's fortunes, with the stock price rising 24%. Bell was also responsible for introducing the McCafé, a coffeehouse franchise that serves gourmet coffee, cakes and pastries and premium teas.
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