McDonald's said on Wednesday its new chief executive, Charlie Bell,43 underwent successful colorectal cancer surgery earlier in the day, only two weeks after his predecessor died of a heart attack at age 60.
McDonald's Corp. stock slipped Thursday, a day after the company's announcement that new chief executive Charlie Bell had undergone surgery for colorectal cancer. McDonald's, still recovering from the April 19 death of Bell's predecessor, Jim Cantalupo, had no further comment beyond its statement late Wednesday that Bell underwent successful surgery earlier in the day. It said in that announcement that his recovery is expected to be brief, but did not elaborate.
"We will make information available as appropriate," spokesman Walt Riker said Thursday. He said earlier the company would not disclose further details about Bell's condition out of respect for his privacy.
company says Bell will remain president and CEO during his recuperation.
Riker said Bell had not been diagnosed with colon cancer when he was appointed, indicating that surgery quickly followed initial detection. Medical experts say the survival rate is high when the cancer is detected early.
McDonald's was lauded for swiftly carrying out its succession plan last month, naming the 43-year-old Bell as CEO within six hours of Cantalupo's death from an apparent heart attack. But Bell has not yet identified a No. 2 on his management team, which could leave some investors uneasy in light of the latest news.