McDonald's CEO fired after dating employee

McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook has been fired over a consensual relationship with an employee.

The US fast-food giant said Easterbrook, who had led McDonald's since 2015, had "violated company policy" and shown "poor judgement".

"This was a mistake," Easterbrook said of the relationship in an email to employees on Sunday released by the company. "Given the values of the company, I agree with the board that it is time for me to move on."

Chris Kempczinski will step in as the new CEO and has joined the McDonald's board.

Earlier this year, the fast-food giant had to deal publicly with allegations of sexual harassment after 25 employees alleged they were sexually harassed on the job.