George Cohon

Founder - McDonald's Restaurants of Canada

George A. Cohon is Founder of McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited and Founder of McDonald's in Russia. In addition, Mr. Cohon is the Founder of Ronald McDonald Children's Charities here in Canada and in Russia.

In 1967, Mr. Cohon moved to Toronto as the Licensee of McDonald's Corporation for Eastern Canada. McDonald's Canadian operations expanded rapidly and in 1971, after McDonald's Corporation reacquired his license, Mr. Cohon became Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited - positions he held until July 1992. Mr. Cohon has played an active and prominent role in numerous charitable organizations. He is the Founder of Ronald McDonald House Charities, both in Canada and in Russia.

Mr. Cohon spearheaded the opening of McDonald's in the former Soviet Union. Negotiations began in 1976, culminating in the opening in 1990 of the first Moscow McDonald's restaurant. Today, Mr. Cohon continues to actively support the Russian operations. Mr. Cohon is also the author of his best-selling autobiography, To Russia With Fries.