McDonald's top US executive is leaving

McDonald's USA President Mike Andres is retiring at the end of the year, the company announced Wednesday.

Andres will be replaced by Chris Kempczinksi, executive vice president of strategy, business development and innovation, effective January 1, 2017.

Andres' started working for McDonald's more than 30 years ago. He left the brand for a couple years and returned in 2014.

Over the last couple years, Andres oversaw some of the brand's biggest changes in the US in decades, including the introduction of all-day breakfast and replacing margarine with butter on the Egg McMuffins.

Here's the news release from McDonald's:

OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwired - August 31, 2016) - McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) today announces the retirement of U.S. President Mike Andres and the subsequent appointment of Chris Kempczinski, Executive Vice President of Strategy, Business Development and Innovation, to lead the U.S. business effective Jan. 1, 2017.

"Mike has been relentless in his commitment to building a better brand," said McDonald's President and CEOSteve Easterbrook. "From significant strides in food quality to meaningful customer initiatives like All Day Breakfast and forging an even stronger partnership between U.S. operators and the company, his commitment to our customers is unmistakable.

"As we thank Mike for his contributions, we are confident Chris is the right leader to build upon our U.S. progress and bring a new level of convenience and excitement to the restaurant experience," Easterbrook added. "His proven track record of driving change is invaluable as we continue to transform McDonald's into a modern, progressive burger company."

Kempczinski will begin to focus his efforts on the U.S. business as he and Andres work together to ensure a smooth transition in the months ahead.

"With the strides we have made in the U.S. business this is the right time for me to retire," Andres said. "I'm proud of the work we have done to put our customers first and enhance our menu so customers can feel good about eating the food they love at McDonald's."

Prior to joining McDonald's last year, Kempczinski served in various strategy and operational positions with some of the world's leading consumer companies, most recently as Executive Vice President, Growth Initiatives and President of International at Kraft Foods Group.

"I look forward to building upon the significant progress in the U.S., and continuing the innovation and collaboration among our owner-operators, suppliers and employees to take McDonald's to the next level," Kempczinski said.