McDonald’s USA announces that Tom
Ryan, senior vice president of Menu Management/New Concepts for McDonald’s USA, will
become the head of Marketing for McDonald’s USA, effective March 1.
“Since joining McDonald’s in 1997, Tom has proved to be one of the brightest and most
creative forces under the Golden Arches,” said Allen Feldman. “He has a flair for innovation and
new thinking – talents that will serve our brand well as Tom assumes this new post.”
Ryan will retain his current Menu Management/New Concepts duties while adding to his
responsibilities the marketing activities for the nearly 13,000 U.S. McDonald’s restaurants.
Feldman also announced that Larry Zwain, senior vice president of Marketing for McDonald’s
USA, will become senior vice president/relationship partner for McDonald’s, within the
Asia/Pacific/Middle East/Africa Group. In his new role, Zwain will report to Charlie Bell,
president of that Group, and will oversee activity in several important developing countries,
utilizing his international, restaurant operations and marketing expertise.
“This is a win/win for our entire organization,” explained Feldman. “McDonald’s is all about the
customer experience and food is at the center of that experience. No one knows more about
food than Tom Ryan. He is recognized as a driving force in our industry. He has helped give
McDonald’s food the star status it deserves, especially with projects such as the introduction
of our New Tastes Menu, Breakfast Bagels and McSalad Shakers. Throughout his career, he
has maintained a natural partnership with Marketing and we’re excited about the talent and
potential he brings to this critical function.”
Feldman added, “We also appreciate all that Larry has done to help build our U.S. business.
Larry has had many successes in the Marketing arena – everything from launching our “We
Love to See You Smile” advertising campaign, to enhancing the working relationship with our
Owner/Operators, to driving our just-announced partnership with L.A. Lakers’ star Kobe
Bryant. Larry possesses a great blend of marketing and operations expertise and, in fact,
was responsible for international restaurant operations during his tenure with PepsiCo. This
new role is the perfect opportunity for him to call upon his strengths in all of these areas.”
“We’re pleased to have Larry bring his many talents to this new role,” said Bell. “There’s
great opportunity to build McDonald’s business in this part of the world and we look forward
to the many contributions we know Larry will make here.”
Ryan has a Ph.D. in Flavor and Fragrance Chemistry, a Master’s Degree in Food Toxicology
and a B.S. in Food Science from Michigan State University. Prior to joining
McDonald’s, he was senior vice president of Business Development at Long John Silver’s,
where he was responsible for Product Development and Operations. Ryan has experience in
both marketing and development at Proctor & Gamble, Pillsbury and Pizza Hut, then a division
of PepsiCo, where he was instrumental in the development of some of the chain’s most
notable product innovations.
