Annemarie Swijtink appointed President, CEO of McDonald’s Canada

CANADA – McDonald’s Canada has announced the appointment of Annemarie Swijtink as its new president and CEO, a leadership change that will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Swijtink will succeed Michèle Boudria, who is set to retire after a remarkable 40-year career with McDonald’s that included several leadership positions across Canada and internationally.

Annemarie Swijtink is currently the Managing Director of McDonald’s Netherlands, a position she has held since June 2022, and she brings extensive experience in operational excellence and brand strategy to her new role.

Her McDonald’s career began as a teenage crew member in the city of Deventer, Netherlands, and she has steadily worked her way up to senior ranks at McDonald’s Netherlands headquarters since 2006.

Throughout her tenure, Swijtink has managed areas such as marketing, digital customer engagement, impact, and data analytics, demonstrating a comprehensive command of contemporary restaurant operations and consumer engagement.

She has been recognized for her collaborative approach and her ability to deliver significant growth in sales and market share for the Dutch business.

International Operated Markets president Manu Steijaert praised Swijtink’s strategic vision, citing her capacity to build on momentum and propel McDonald’s Canada toward an exciting future.

In her official statement, Swijtink expressed deep gratitude for her journey with McDonald’s, describing it as a privilege and highlighting the honor of stewarding the Canadian business into its next chapter.

She looks forward to joining the Canadian community, meeting the team, and building on McDonald’s strong legacy nationwide.

Michèle Boudria, the outgoing president and CEO, began her McDonald’s journey as a crew member in Quebec in 1984 and later became the first woman to hold the top post at McDonald’s Canada.

Her legacy includes driving talent development, fostering strong relationships with franchisees, and cultivating a culture of inclusion and operational excellence.

McDonald’s leadership has expressed sincere appreciation for Boudria’s years of service, acknowledging her profound positive impact on the company’s Canadian operations.

Swijtink’s appointment aligns with McDonald’s ongoing international strategy to strengthen its leadership and share best practices across global markets as part of its “One McDonald’s Way” initiative.

Her transition also comes as McDonald’s Canada continues to serve more than two million customers each day while providing employment to nearly 100,000 Canadians.

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