Headlines

McDonald’s Names New SVP, Global Restaurant Development and Design

Tabassum Zalotrawala has assumed duties beyond the US.

Published

22 hours ago

March 26, 2026

VMSD Staff

McDonald’s Names New SVP, Global Restaurant Development and Design — McDonald’s global presence includes this restaurant in Shanghai. Robert Way/iStock by Getty Images

McDonald’s global presence includes this restaurant in Shanghai. Robert Way/iStock by Getty Images

McDonald’s (Chicago) has promoted Tabassum Zalotrawala to SVP, Global Restaurant Development and Design, report a variety of news outlets, including QSR. The move expands her responsibilities beyond the U.S. to oversee the company’s global restaurant strategy. (The fast-food giant currently has 43,000-plus restaurants in more than 100 countries.)

Tabassum Zalotrawala. Photo: Courtesy of McDonald’s

Zalotrawala joined McDonald’s in 2023 as U.S. chief development officer after serving stints at Panda Restaurant Group and Chipotle Mexican Grill. In her initial role at McDonald’s, she helped propel the fastest development period in the chain’s history, including plans to open 1000 new restaurants in the United States by 2027.

In her new post, Zalotrawala will guide global restaurant development and design while continuing to oversee U.S. operations until a successor is named.

VMSD Staff

Drawing on more than 125 years of history serving the retail design market, VMSD magazine provides retail professionals with the most up-to-date, innovative retail design ideas and industry news through its industry-leading magazine, website, social media channels and bulletins.

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