McDonald's names its chief brand officer Steve Easterbrook as CEO to succeed Don Thompson

OAK BROOK, Ill. – McDonald's Corp. has tapped Steve Easterbrook as its new president and CEO to succeed Don Thompson, who has helmed the burger chain about two and a half years.

McDonald's is facing slumping sales in the U.S.

Thompson will retire March 1 after nearly 25 years with the Oak Brook, Illinois-based company.

Easterbrook is McDonald's Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer.

In after-hours trading, shares of the company jumped 2.5 percent to $91.05.