George Cohon Founder and Senior Chairman of the Boards of the Canadian and Russian branches of McDonald's Corporation Date of Birth: 19.04.1937 Country: USA

1. George Cohon: Founder of McDonald's Canada and Russia
2. Early Life and Education
3. Business Career
4. Expansion into Russia
5. Philanthropy and Recognition
6. Family

George Cohon: Founder of McDonald's Canada and Russia

George Cohon is a Canadian businessman of American descent and the founder and senior chairperson of McDonald's Canada and Russia. He was born on April 19, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois.

Early Life and Education

Cohon earned a bachelor's degree from Drake University and a Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago.

Business Career

From 1961 to 1967, Cohon practiced corporate law in Chicago. In 1967, he relocated to Toronto, Ontario, after obtaining a license from McDonald's Corporation to establish operations in Eastern Canada. In 1971, he became the chairman, president, and CEO of McDonald's restaurants in Canada.

Expansion into Russia

Cohon played a pivotal role in the opening of McDonald's restaurants in the former Soviet Union. The first restaurant was opened in Moscow on January 31, 1990, and at that time, it was the largest McDonald's in the world (currently the largest in Europe). Due to political reasons, it operated with minimal involvement from the controlling company in the United States. The restaurant only accepted Russian rubles and initially, customers had to wait in long queues for several hours to enter. Due to the scarcity of goods in the Soviet Union at the time, McDonald's had to create its own network of suppliers, including agricultural enterprises and packaging manufacturers.

Philanthropy and Recognition

Cohon initiated the establishment of Ronald McDonald House Charities in Canada and Russia, a charitable organization that supports sick children and their families worldwide. He serves on the board of directors for McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited, Royal Bank of Canada, and Astral Media Inc., a Canadian media corporation. Cohon was a member of the York University Board of Governors in Toronto from 1982 to 1995.

In 1975, George Cohon became a Canadian citizen, and in 2000, he was awarded the Order of Ontario. He was also appointed as a member of the Order of Canada in 1987 and was promoted to Officer in 1992.

Family

Cohon's son, Mark Cohon, born in 1966, is currently one of the executives of the Canadian Football League.