McDonald’s former chief executive Charlie Bell died on Monday at the age of 44 in his native town of Sydney.
Mr. Bell was McDonalds’ first non-American head. He started his career at 15 working part-time in a store in Sydney and spent 28 years at McDonalds.

Together with Jim Cantalupo, McDonalds’ chairman and president, Mr. Bell pioneered the initiatives that jump-started sales growth and attracted investors to the company. He supervised the launch of the “I’m Lovin’ It” global advertising campaign.

McDonalds CEO concentrated on same-store sales instead of opening new restaurants and overhauled the menu, upgraded the service and extended hours of service. Bell changed the image of the food chain giving it a younger look.
“Charlie Bell gave his all to McDonald’s. Even during his hospitalisation and chemotherapy, Charlie led this company with pride and determination,” said Andrew McKenna, the company’s chairman. “Now he leaves a remarkable legacy...It began with his partnership with Jim Cantalupo and Jim Skinner [current chief executive] to create a strategic Plan to Win. It continued with his intense and highly successful focus on the customer experience that all started in a McDonald’s restaurant in Australia.”
Jim Skinner said Mr Bell was “an incredible leader”.