CHICAGO (AP) – Charlie Bell, who began his McDonald’s Corp. career as a part-time worker in a suburban Sydney restaurant and later became chief executive of the fast-food icon, died early Monday of colon cancer in his native Australia. He was 44.
Bell was diagnosed with cancer last May, only a month after ascending to the top job. He left the fast food-giant in November, after several rounds of treatment. McDonald’s announced his death Sunday evening.
“Charlie Bell gave his all to McDonald’s,” said Andrew J. McKenna, chairman of the company’s board. “Even during his hospitalization and chemotherapy, Charlie led this company with pride and determination.”
Bell was replaced as CEO by Jim Skinner, the Oak Brook, Ill.-based company’s third CEO in a year. Bell was chosen to replace former chief James Cantalupo, who died of a heart attack in April 2004.
Early last month, Bell and his family returned to Sydney where he was continuing his cancer therapy.
McDonald’s spokesman Walt Riker declined to comment on whether Bell was in the hospital or at home. No funeral arrangements have yet been made, he said.
Bell rose through the ranks of the Oak Brook, Ill.-based fast food giant, starting at a Sydney restaurant in 1975 and becoming the youngest store manager in Australia by the age of 19.
From 1993 until late 1999 Bell was managing director of McDonald’s Australia. He then served as president of McDonald’s Europe until December 2002 and was then named president and chief operating officer and a board member of McDonald’s.
“Charlie grew up with McDonald’s,” Fred Turner, the company’s former chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “He always put the system first. His natural love of people, his energy and passion for life and the business were contagious to all who came in contact with him.”
Under Cantalupo and Bell, McDonald’s staged a rebound in sales as the company slowed the pace of new store openings, added popular new salads and breakfast items to its menus and shed noncore parts of its business.
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