CHICAGO, April 19 (UPI) -- U.S. fast-food giant McDonald's is relying on the expertise of a former defense engineer to coordinate its foray into specialty coffees.
The Chicago Tribune reported Sunday that company executive Don Thompson, an electrical engineer who once designed radar jamming systems, is charged with completing McDonald's rollout of its McCafe specialty coffee products.
"This is a big deal and all eyes are on McDonald's," said Steve West, an analyst at Stifel Nicolaus. "If it fails, it will be an embarrassment and will fall right at (Thompson's) feet. It's not his idea, but it is his to execute. He could live or die by that sword."
In August 2006, Thompson was named president of McDonald's USA, which has seen profits climb under his leadership, the newspaper reported.
"I think he's a really solid leader and the results speak for themselves," said Larry Miller, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets.
As head of McDonald's U.S. operations, Thompson found a way to make the company's most popular sandwich, the $1 double cheeseburger, profitable for its franchisees.
He raised the double cheeseburger's price to $1.19, and introduced a new double cheeseburger, with less cheese, for $1.
