Chris Yong has announced his departure from McDonald's where he has spent the past 22 years, holding a number of roles during that time, most recently Head of Supply Chain/Global Senior Director, McDonald's International Operated Markets.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: "After 22 years, I’m leaving McDonald’s. In August I turned 50 and wrote that I had possibly 1,391 weeks left. One thing on my list: make the big decisions. This is one of them. Last year I took a sabbatical, a fantastic benefit McDonald’s offers. My main reflection was flexibility and balance: taking my kids to school some days, lunch and a walk with my wife."

He added: "So many people love their job but are torn between that and their family. I need to travel. I need to be at home. I need to focus on my job. I need to focus on home. I’ve made the decision to find a slightly better balance before my girls become old enough to not want me! So I’m taking a leap into something different. To chase my ikigai: where what I love, what I’m good at, what the world needs and what pays all come together."

Yong concluded: "What I love most is transformation and impact, and that’ll be at the centre of what I do next. Using 30 years of building, operating and transforming supply chains: improving profit and service, driving resilience and putting technology to work. Supporting turnarounds and growth."

"Thank you to my teams, our suppliers and our franchisees. Proud of what we built together: an incredible London 2012, a digital supply chain across 100+ countries, and a strong commercial and logistics engine supporting growth through high inflation. Everyone played a part in 22 great years. More to come."

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Supply chain technology was a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

Check out our winners here.

The awards celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world. Our winners were revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

The event consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, awards ceremony presided over by award winning stand-up comedian, presenter, actor and broadcaster, Aurie Styla, and after party until 1am.