May 24/Oak Brook, Ill./Los Angeles Times -- McDonald’s Corp. is headed into new territory after its annual shareholders meeting, with a new chief executive slated to take over and more attempts to modernize the chain and offer healthful options.

Among the efforts discussed by incoming Chief Executive Don Thompson at the Oak Brook, Ill. chain’s event:

• Tests on decaf and skim milk options for the McCafe beverage line and more additions of grains and fruits to the menu. “We’re ensuring that we have something on the menu for everyone at every price point,” Thompson said.
• A search for more entrees for the Happy Meal, which recently began featuring apple slices, smaller fries and fat-free milk
• Restaurant makeovers, which have resulted in 45% of McDonald’s interiors around the world being revamped to seem more modern, to “move McDonald’s into the future.”
• Expanding accessibility, with mobile ordering in Australia, self-order kiosks in Europe, delivery options in Asia and longer hours system-wide.
• Global expansion, which involves plans to open 1,300 new restaurants this year. On Thursday, McDonald’s vet Dave Hoffman was chosen as president of the growing Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa region. In Europe, especially in Spain, Italy and Portugal, high teen unemployment and economic woes are causing customers to see “some tremendous impact of austerity measures.... It’s a tough arena,” Thompson said.
• During the meeting, executives said McDonald’s still doesn’t offer turkey products and doesn’t plan to sell the cult favorite McRib more than once a year nationally.

“You have no idea how many times I get a question about the McRib,” Thompson said. The current chief operating officer will replace longtime Chief Executive Jim Skinner when he retires at the end of June.

The pair teamed up during the meeting to deal with some criticism.