New McDonald’s CEO Doesn’t Own a Single Share of the Company

Chris Kempczinski’s rapid ascent to the top job at McDonald’s Corp. has left him in a slightly awkward situation for a big-company leader: He doesn’t hold a single share in the restaurant chain.

In May, Kempczinski sold the entire stake he had accumulated since he started at McDonald’s in 2015 -- roughly 10,900 shares, regulatory filings show. He also exercised almost 27,900 options and liquidated that holding. The transactions netted him $4.44 million before taxes.

Chris Kempczinski

Photographer: Richard Drew/AP Photo

He still owns additional options -- some of which he could exercise immediately to buy shares at a discount -- as well as ...