Byline: DAVID STERRETT
When McDonald's Corp. named James Skinner CEO in November 2004, many figured he would merely keep the seat warm until the board settled on a long-term successor.
Directors had twice passed over the company veteran, turning to him only after two predecessors died in less than a year.
More than three years later, the former high school wrestler has a firm grip on the job, and his tenure is proving more transformative than expected.
He has overseen three years of unprecedented sales growth and launched the biggest menu expansion in 30 years, rolling out fancy coffees and bottled drinks in a challenge to both Starbucks and 7-Eleven.
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