McDonald's has sacked its British-born chief executive and president, Steve Easterbrook from the $15.9m-per-year role, after he had a relationship with an employee.
In a statement Sunday evening, the fast food giant said Easterbrook had demonstrated poor judgment in violating a company policy that forbids managers from having romantic relationships with direct or indirect subordinates.
Recently divorced, Easterbrook acknowledged he had a relationship with an unnamed employee in an email to staff, calling it a 'mistake'.
Easterbrook first worked for McDonald's in 1993 as a manager in London before working his way up the company. He left in 2011 to become boss of Pizza Express and then Asian food chain Wagamama.
After returning to McDonald's as chief brand officer and as then as the UK and northern Europe's managing director, he became the CEO of the company in 2015. The value of its shares more than doubled during his tenure in the US.
Easterbrook is widely credited with revitalising the firm's menus and restaurants, by remodelling stores and using better ingredients. Under his leadership, McDonald's also expanded its delivery and mobile payment options to emphasise convenience.
Easterbrook will be replaced by Chris Kempczinski, most recently president of McDonald's USA, with immediate effect. In a statement, Kempczinski thanked Easterbrook for his contributions, 'Steve brought me into McDonald's and he was a patient and helpful mentor.'