McDonald's Japan names HK native Thomas Ko as next president

The McDonald's group in Japan named Thomas Ko, a Hong Kong native, as the incoming president of the operating company. 

Ko currently serves as a director for the parent company, McDonald's Holdings Co. (Japan). He will take the post of president following a shareholders meeting on June 14. 

After a stint in the consulting business, the 48-year-old joined the U.S.-based McDonald's Corp. in 2010 as director of consumer strategy for the region covering Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. He then served in executive roles for McDonald's in multiple locations, including South Korea and Portugal.

This came as a part of an executive reshuffle of the fast-food chain giant in Japan following the departure of former chairperson Sarah Casanova. Ko will replace Tamotsu Hiiro, who will become chairperson of the McDonald's group in Japan, according to Nikkei Asia.

Hiiro also will remain president of the holding company.

In March, Casanova stepped down as chairperson of both the holding company and the operating subsidiary, citing personal reasons. This change left Hiiro alone at the top, but Ko's arrival will mark the return of a two-person leadership structure.

McDonald's Japan has raised menu prices four times since 2022. It responded to the growing demand for takeout and deliveries in part by rolling out limited-time items to draw customer traffic. 

Those efforts generated strong earnings. Same-store sales have surpassed year-earlier figures for 46 consecutive months through April.

(Staff reporter and Nikkei Asia)