Ed Rensi Biography
- Title:
- Former CEO of McDonald's USA
- Position:
- Con to the question "Should the Federal Minimum Wage Be Increased?"
- Reasoning:
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“The one thing you need to know about the minimum wage, it was designed for entry-level jobs that teach people soft work skills. It was never meant to be a career, it’s meant to be a career starter… If they did this minimum wage thing, I’m telling you there’d be another 15 to 20 percent [of small businesses] that are going to go away… You can’t afford it.”
“Would a Minimum Wage Increase Be a Jobs Killer?,” foxbusiness.com, Aug. 20, 2013
- Involvement and Affiliations:
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- CEO, Rensi Consulting, June 2015-present
- Member of the Board, McDonald’s USA, 1982-present
- Member, International Advisory Board, Ronald McDonald House Program
- CEO, Famous Dave’s of America, 2014-2015
- Co-owner, Team Rensi Motorsports, 1998-Dec. 2010
- CEO, McDonald’s USA, 1991-Aug. 1999
- President and Chief Operating Officer, McDonald’s USA, 1984-1991
- Senior Executive Vice President, McDonald’s USA, 1982-1984
- Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, McDonald’s USA, 1980-1982
- Vice President of Operations and Training, McDonald’s USA, 1978-1980
- Philadelphia District Manager, Regional Manager, and Regional Vice President, McDonald’s, 1972-1978
- Restaurant Manager, McDonald’s, 1966-1972
- Grill-man and Trainee Manager, McDonald’s, 1965-1966
- Former Chairman, National Hispanic Corporate Council Institute
- Former Member, Board of Governors, American National Red Cross
- Education:
-
- BS, Business, Ohio State University, 1985
- Other:
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- Twitter handle: @edrensi
- Represented by Premier Speaker’s Bureau for speaking engagements
- Recipient, honorary doctorate in business, Norwich University, 2012
- Recipient, Chicago Italian-American Man of the Year Award, 1995
- Recipient, Italian-American Award, 1994
- Recipient, Good Samaritan of the Year Award from Good Samaritan Hospital, 1991
- Recipient, Prince Matchabelli National Hero Award, 1989
- Recipient, Distinguished President’s Volunteer Award, 1988
- Recipient, Leadership Award from Restaurant Business magazine, 1988
- Recipient, Porvello Award from the University of Steubenville, 1985
- Has been listed in Who’s Who in America since 1976
- Was instrumental in the development of the first Ronald McDonald House, a temporary residence for families of children with serious illnesses
- Introduced the McRib, McChicken sandwich, chicken McNuggets, and the Extra Value Meal
- Quoted in:
- Pro & Con Quotes: Should the Federal Minimum Wage Be Increased?