McDonald's Corporation lands in Toronto the week of its global growth strategy launch

McDonald's Corporation flew from Hudson Lake Seaplane Base, near its Chicago headquarters, to Toronto Pearson International Airport on June 16th in its Gulfstream G600 (N1955M), a 50-minute hop across the lake.

The same week, McDonald's Corporation is rolling out its new global growth strategy, "McDonald's > NEXT," at its biennial Worldwide Convention for franchisees, held this year in Toronto after last week's Las Vegas portion, per a CNBC report on June 1st. The plan focuses on menu innovation—including hand-breaded chicken—AI drive-thru systems, and redesigned restaurants to win back customers amid high gas prices and inflation. CEO Chris Kempczinski is on site to present the strategy, which aims to make McDonald's "customers' first choice," as covered by Bloomberg.

The flight follows a familiar pattern: the corporate jet traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles on June 12th, then returned on June 13th before today's short hop to Toronto. The timing aligns squarely with the convention, where 95% of the chain's franchisee operators are gathering to hear how the company plans to compete with newcomers like Raising Cane's and 7 Brew, as reported by Fox Business.