McDonald's has fired CEO Steve Easterbrook over his relationship with another employee, according to a press release from the company.
The board voted Friday to fire Easterbrook after investigating the relationship with the unnamed employee, two days before the executive wrote an email to McDonald's employees saying he had violated company policy on personal conduct.
"This was a mistake," Easterbrook said in the email, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. "Given the values of the company, I agree with the board that it is time for me to move on."
Chris Kempczinski, who was serving as president, is succeeding Easterbrook, who had been in the role at the fast-food giant since March 2015.
Easterbrook previously served as head of UK operations before becoming CEO, and he oversaw a mix of booming company shares and stale US store sales.
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