Greg Solomon
A corporate executive and engineer best known for serving as CEO of McDonald's SA for 15 years, and currently serving as CEO of Pantry
Biography
Born and raised in Johannesburg, Greg Solomon originally trained and worked as a civil engineer, following his father's career path in construction. In 1996, shortly after McDonald's entered the South African market, he joined the company in a real estate and construction capacity to manage store developments. Encouraged by senior leadership to transition into core operations, he underwent intensive restaurant-level training, including managing the Auckland Park branch in Johannesburg, before advancing through executive operational ranks.
Solomon was appointed Chief Executive Officer of McDonald's South Africa in 2010. Over his 15-year tenure as CEO—and 29 total years with the brand—he spearheaded a massive nationwide scaling effort. Under his leadership, the footprint expanded from early double-digit store numbers to over 400 restaurants employing more than 15,000 staff. He successfully navigated the business through complex structural challenges, including COVID-19 lockdowns, civil unrest, and severe load-shedding power crises. He stepped down from McDonald's in early 2025 to facilitate a planned executive transition. In late 2026, Solomon was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Pantry by Marble, the high-end convenience and retail arm created by the Marble Restaurant Group. In his role leading Pantry, he oversees the national expansion, supply chain discipline, central kitchen systems, and site selection for its luxury forecourt and neighborhood retail outlets across South Africa.
Career timeline
In their words
“Fast change and scale need discipline, and it has to be added without compromising the brand's character and culture.”