With more than 35 years of leadership, operational, and financial experience at McDonald’s Corporation, Jerry Calabrese became the organization’s expert at streamlining business operations, measuring restaurant performance, and maximizing the customer experience.

Throughout Jerry’s career at McDonald’s, he concentrated on creating a laser-like focus on performance and accountability at all levels, which has been a significant factor in helping enhance McDonald’s brand.

Most recently, Jerry was the Corporate Vice President for Global Restaurant Measurement where he designed, implemented and supported Global Restaurant Operational and People Measurement tools that evaluated and helped significantly improve the performance of 32,000 restaurants in 100+ countries.

In 1990, he was promoted to U.S. Vice President, McDonald’s Shared Services Organization, where he restructured and consolidated the entire shared services accounting organization. By introducing innovative technology solutions, implementing process improvements, and streamlining operations, he helped this area became one of the most efficient and effective organizations in McDonald’s.

Since his retirement from McDonald’s, Jerry has focused on the 5 G’s: Grandchildren, God, Giving Back, Golf, and Getting in Shape. He is especially passionate about coaching and mentoring disadvantaged and at-risk inner-city youth, attempting to help them realize their potential and launch them into promising careers after they graduate.

A graduate of the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle Campus, he holds a BA in Accounting.

Show Highlights

Confidence is one of the key things. If you don't believe in yourself, you're going to have a tough time. —Jerry CalabreseI always held myself accountable. You're always going to make mistakes, but how you handle them determines what type of person you're going to be. —Jerry CalabreseFamily and friends are your most important assets. Treat them that way. —Jerry CalabreseYou only get one shot at life, so you better make sure you make the most of it while you can. —Jerry CalabreseThere are some things you can't teach, you have to show them. —Jerry CalabreseIt's very important how you handle it when something doesn't go your way. That's going to determine how people view you. —Jerry CalabreseI made sure to speak my mind if it was something I didn't agree with and wasn't afraid to say what I believed in. —Jerry CalabreseBefore you react to a disappointment, you need to take a step back and asses what happened. Talk to people you respect and gain different perspectives. —Jerry CalabreseIf you don't get to the root cause of your problems, you'll never be able to improve. —Jerry CalabreseYou're only as good as the people who are around you. —Jerry Calabrese

Jerry's closing thoughts: If you feel like you're "out of aces," figure out why you're in business, what's not working, why it's not working, and bring someone in from the outside who can help you identify from an outside perspective.

The Action Catalyst is a weekly podcast hosted by Dan Moore, President of Southwestern Advantage, the oldest direct-sales company in America, and Partner with Southwestern Consulting. With more than 45 years in sales leadership and marketing management, Dan has a wealth of knowledge to share on how to make better use of time to achieve life, sales, and other business goals. Each week, he interviews some of the nation’s top thought leaders and experts, sharing meaningful tips and advice. Subscribe on iTunes and please leave a rating and review!