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Don Thompson is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Avenue, a venture capital and consulting firm based in Chicago, Illinois. Before launching the investment firm in 2015 with his wife Liz Thompson, he spent 25 years at McDonald's Corporation, culminating in a three-year tenure as its President and CEO from 2012 to 2015. Through Cleveland Avenue, he manages several venture investment vehicles, including the $70 million Castlerock 2021 Value Partners Fund, which targets early-stage food, beverage, and restaurant technology startups led by diverse founders. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and has previously served on the corporate boards of Beyond Meat, Royal Caribbean, and Northern Trust. His current focus centers on providing private equity capital and hands-on operational expertise to high-growth consumer lifestyle brands and emerging foodservice technologies.
Don Thompson is a distinguished Partner at Cleveland Avenue, a prominent venture capital firm renowned for its strategic investments in the food, beverage, and technology industries. As a key leader within the firm, Mr. Thompson brings an unparalleled depth of operational expertise and strategic vision to the investment process, helping to identify and scale companies poised for significant market impact.
Before joining Cleveland Avenue, Don Thompson built an illustrious career marked by transformative leadership roles. Most notably, he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonald's Corporation, one of the world's largest and most recognized brands. During his tenure at McDonald's, he held various leadership positions across operations, global strategy, and digital innovation, culminating in his role as CEO. This extensive background provided him with a profound understanding of global consumer trends, supply chain management, brand building, and the complexities of operating a large-scale, international business. His experience at McDonald's is invaluable in assessing the potential of emerging brands and guiding their growth trajectories.
At Cleveland Avenue, Don Thompson's investment focus areas align with the firm's mission to support disruptive and innovative companies. He is particularly interested in ventures that are redefining the food and beverage landscape, leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance consumer experiences, improve efficiency, or create sustainable solutions. This includes investments in food tech, restaurant tech, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and digital platforms that serve the broader consumer market. His operational acumen allows him to provide hands-on guidance to portfolio companies, helping them navigate challenges related to scaling, market entry, and operational excellence.
Cleveland Avenue, under the guidance of partners like Don Thompson, seeks out entrepreneurs with bold visions and strong execution capabilities. The firm is dedicated to fostering innovation and creating long-term value for its portfolio companies. Don Thompson's leadership and deep industry knowledge are instrumental in Cleveland Avenue's success, making him a highly respected figure in both the investment and consumer sectors. His commitment to identifying and nurturing the next generation of industry leaders underscores his significant contribution to the venture capital ecosystem.
Don Thompson is a Partner at Cleveland Avenue, a venture capital firm specializing in food, beverage, and technology investments. He is also widely recognized as the former President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonald's Corporation.
Don Thompson invests in innovative companies within the food, beverage, and technology sectors through Cleveland Avenue. His focus includes food tech, restaurant tech, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and digital platforms that serve the consumer market.
Don Thompson works as a Partner at Cleveland Avenue, a venture capital firm based in Chicago, Illinois, that invests in high-growth companies across the food, beverage, and technology industries.
