Ousted McDonald’s chief executive returns $105m over misconduct

Steve Easterbrook has paid back more than $105 million in equity awards and cash to McDonald’s (Richard Drew/AP)

Former McDonald’s chief executive Steve Easterbrook has paid back more than $105 million (£78.6 million) in equity awards and cash to the burger giant after it learned that he had lied about the extent of his misconduct while he was its top executive.

“During my tenure as CEO, I failed at times to uphold McDonald’s values and fulfil certain of my responsibilities as a leader of the company,” Mr Easterbrook said in a prepared statement issued on Thursday by McDonald’s. “I apologise to my former co-workers, the board and the company’s franchisees and suppliers for doing so.”