McDonald's Australia CEO and managing director Antoni Martinez is stepping away from the company after a two decade long tenure that saw him climb through the ranks after starting his career with the fast food giant as a crew member at 15 years old.

The decision comes as Martinez looks to spend more time with his family and explore new opportunities. He will be replaced by Joe Chiczewski, who currently serves as the Chief Restaurant Officer of McDonald's Australia.

During his time with McDonald's, Martinez held several key positions, including Managing Director of McDonald's Korea and Market Director Southern Region and Development Director at McDonald's Australia. His recent contributions to the company include guiding the business through the post-COVID landscape and launching the MyMacca's Rewards program, a loyalty initiative that has attracted over 14 million customers.

"I am incredibly grateful for the incredible opportunities and achievements McDonald’s has afforded me over the past two decades. It goes without saying that none of it would have been possible without the support of our amazing McDonald’s people and franchisees. But for now, I’ll be cheering the team on from the drive-thru," said Martinez.

Incoming CEO Chiczewski joined McDonald's Australia in September 2024, and brings with him a wealth of experience in strategy, finance, and operations from his time within McDonald's U.S. business. Prior to his current role, he was the Field Vice President of the Northeast United States, overseeing 1,500 restaurants.

Chiczewski holds a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Marketing from Drake University and a Master of Business from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

"I am incredibly honoured and excited to have the opportunity to lead McDonald’s Australia. McDonald’s, or rather Macca’s, has been part of Australian communities for more than 50 years. I am looking forward to continuing to build on the incredible legacy of our people and franchisees to deliver exceptional value and service to the two million customers who visit our restaurants daily, create incredible development opportunities for our people, and support our local communities when they need us most," said Chiczewski.

McDonald's Australia, which opened its first restaurant in Yagoona, Sydney, in 1971, now operates over 1,000 restaurants across the country. Nearly 85% of these establishments are franchised and managed by local businesspeople. The company is a significant employer in Australia, with a workforce exceeding 105,000, making it the largest employer of youth in the nation. Each year, McDonald's Australia creates more than 3,000 new jobs and invests over $40 million in training and people development.