McDonald’s US CMO Alyssa Buetikofer leaves, and the job is split in two

McDonald’s US chief marketing and customer experience officer Alyssa Buetikofer is leaving the company, Adweek reported on 5 November 2026. She will stay until 18 December to hand over the job. McDonald’s is splitting her role between two longtime executives while it looks for a permanent US CMO.

Morgan Flatley and Charlie Newberger share Buetikofer’s job

Global CMO Morgan Flatley becomes interim US chief creative officer and keeps her global role. Charlie Newberger becomes interim SVP and US chief marketing and commercial officer. He takes over marketing operations, the national advertising co-op OPNAD and work with franchise owners. Danica Cunningham steps in as interim leader of global beverages and desserts.

McDonald’s said Buetikofer is leaving to spend more time with her family. She joined in 2011, after early years at the media agency OMD, and took the US role in February 2025 after Tariq Hassan left.

McDonald’s US same-store sales fell 0.2% in the third quarter

The exit comes as US sales slip. Same-store sales fell 0.2% in the third quarter, Reel Chicago reported, citing Ad Age. Executives blamed cuts to app deals and weak value offers for lower-income diners. Sales picked up after some offers came back in September.

McDonald’s credits Buetikofer with the return of the Snack Wrap and Monopoly, a bigger drinks line and a record Grinch Meal. During her time the chain also began to sell other brands’ ads on its menu boards.

Target also put retail media under its new marketing chief

Other big US brands have recently merged marketing with wider commercial work. Target moved Roundel and Target Plus under a new chief marketing and guest experience officer. McDonald’s has also ended its FIFA World Cup sponsorship after 32 years.

The next test comes with the holiday season and the first quarter. The open question is whether McDonald’s names a single US CMO again or keeps the creative and commercial halves apart when the search ends.