Joe Erlinger

Most recently, Joe Erlinger served as President, International Operated Markets, with overall responsibility for McDonald's wholly-owned markets outside the U.S. He began his McDonald's tenure in 2002, working in strategy and new business development before moving onto regional and international leadership positions around the world.

Joe began his McDonald’s journey in 2002 in Strategy and New Business Development. He quickly advanced through the ranks to become Senior Director & Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s Corporation. He then took on regional leadership roles with increasing responsibilities for McDonald’s USA, culminating with him being named Vice President & General Manager of the Indianapolis Region comprising more than 600 restaurants across six US states.

Taking on his first international assignment in 2013, Joe became Managing Director of McDonald’s Korea, a position he held until he became Chief Financial Officer of McDonald’s High Growth Markets in 2015.

From 2016 to 2018, Joe led the High Growth segment with overall responsibility for 6,000 McDonald’s restaurants across nine key growth markets around the world including China, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, and Switzerland. During his tenure as High Growth Segment President, the China and Hong Kong markets were converted to Developmental-Licensed markets in the largest re-franchising transaction completed in McDonald’s history.

Before joining McDonald’s, Joe worked in finance with AT&T Corporation. He held numerous positions within the US management consulting industry. He is also a graduate of Georgetown University in Washington, DC with a degree in Finance.

From 2013 to 2017, Joe was a governor of the American Chamber of Commerce Korea Board of Governors (Vice Chair from 2015 to 2017) and Board Member of Ronald McDonald House Charities Korea. He and his wife reside in London, England with their three children.