London, England, United Kingdom, January 2026 – Parminder Bharj has been appointed as Chief Technology Officer, International Operated Markets Business Unit at McDonald’s, taking charge of technology strategy, digital modernization, and enterprise IT leadership across McDonald’s international operated markets.
In this role, Bharj will lead large-scale digital transformation initiatives, drive technology-enabled customer and restaurant experience modernization, strengthen cyber and payment ecosystems, and accelerate platform innovation supporting McDonald’s rapidly evolving global business.
Parminder Bharj has taken on the role of Chief Technology Officer at McDonald’s International Operated Markets BU, following more than a decade of progressive leadership within the organization. Prior to this appointment, he served as Senior Director, CIO EMEA Business Unit, where he played a central role in strengthening regional IT strategy, digital commerce platforms, and operational technology modernization across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
Earlier at McDonald’s, Bharj held senior leadership roles including Director, Segment Technology – Middle East & Africa and Director, Business Relationship Management & Strategic Planning, where he was instrumental in aligning IT and business strategy, leading PMO transformation, and enabling scalable cloud, POS, and payment platforms across complex multi-market environments.
Before joining McDonald’s, Bharj spent over six years at Korn Ferry, holding roles including Head of Business Services and EMEA IT Manager, leading large-scale IT transformation, people leadership, and enterprise service delivery across multiple geographies.
Earlier in his career, he built a strong technical and operational foundation through progressive technology leadership roles at Mencap, Harrods, and enterprise IT services organizations.
About McDonald’s
McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with more than 37,000 locations across over 100 countries. With over 1.9 million employees worldwide, McDonald’s continues to set global standards in operational excellence, digital innovation, and customer experience through franchise-driven growth and technology-enabled transformation.
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