The world's largest franchisor of quick-service restaurants, McDonald's USA, has joined Cornell's Center for Hospitality Research as a senior partner.

"This is a time for all industry leaders to step up the effort to improve operations and management strategy," said Steve Russell, McDonald's senior vice president for human resources. "We're supporting the Cornell research program in an effort to raise the tide for all industry operators."

Russell will become a member of the center's advisory board and will have a seat at all roundtables produced by the center, as well as an opportunity to meet with researchers to discuss ongoing studies.
"We welcome McDonald's USA as a senior partner," said David Sherwyn, associate professor and academic director of the center. "Their willingness, as a leader in the food-service industry, to sponsor conferences and research demonstrates a forward-looking approach to the industry's present situation."