In a report by Reuters, McDonald's Corp on Thursday said it had appointed current Chief Operating Officer Holger Beeck as its chief executive for its German division. The appointment came in light of the fast food chain's struggles in the German region due to a decrease in European consumer spending.

Germany had been one of McDonald's largest markets at EUR 3.2 billion or USD4.3 billion in sales. The report by Reuters said the fast food chain however, had seen a decline based from its recent quarterly reports, no thanks to rivals that included Burger King Worldwide Inc.

The company added that Beeck would be taking over from Bane Knezevic. Knezevic had requested from McDonald's to step down after eight years serving as the German unit chief executive. Knezevic's new role would be announced at a later time.

Beeck had been working for the fast food chain for around 30 years. The report added that Beeck had oversaw the completion of German store refurbishments and the region's introduction of 830 McCafe coffee shops.