About

Unsurprisingly given the country’s massive customer base and rapidly growing economy, fast food giant McDonald’s has built a significant presence in China since opening its first restaurant in 1990. The franchise has expanded in China to the point that it now operates over 2,200 restaurants, in what is the third largest market for McDonald’s after the United States and Japan. Christine Dekker, vice president and general counsel of McDonald’s China, has been with the company since 2008 when she took a role as a senior litigation counsel. After growing within this role for five years, Dekker showed her commercial acumen by taking on a more client-focused role as West Division business counsel for two years. This position, which involved providing legal support to franchisees as and when required, highlighted her adaptability and commitment to developing a versatile skillset. Once again, Dekker looked for a new challenge, and in 2014 made the move to her current role. Based in Shanghai, she has taken over at an interesting time for the McDonald’s China as domestic and international investors have been competing to purchase the company’s local assets in a multi-billion dollar franchising deal. The agreement, announced in January 2017, will see the company franchise out 80% of its directly-operated restaurants in China, as part of a worldwide cost cutting initiative. As the management of McDonald’s looks to reorganise and simplify their international business structure, Dekker’s role as both a legal and business head assumes greater importance.