E-Malt.com News article: USA: Anheuser-Busch CEO to leave his role at the end of November

Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth, who heads up AB InBev’s North American business, will leave his role at the end of the month, The Drinks Business reported on November 3.

Whitworth is exiting the business as the global brewer does what it can to limit sliding beer volumes while diversifying its portfolio beyond beer.

AB InBev has confirmed Whitworth will depart at the end of November and leave his position as head of AB InBev’s North American business to become CEO of luxury fitness and lifestyle brand Equinox.

Whitworth had initially joined AB InBev back in 2013 when he had taken on the role of global director of sales. After this, he assumed the role of Anheuser-Busch CEO and zone president of North America in July 2021 after Doukeris went on to lead the global company.

AB InBev CEO Michael Doukeris, who previously ran the North American business from 2018 to 2021, will lead the US business unit for an interim time until the role is filled. In a statement, Doukeris spoke solely of the division sustaining its “momentum” and not of the department’s recent beer sales volume performance woes, nor Whitworth’s departure.

Doukeris said: “The strategy in the US that has been in place since 2018 has resulted in an industry-leading portfolio, strong alignment with our wholesaler partners, and sustained commercial momentum.”

He added: “I look forward to continuing to work alongside our world-class North America leadership team, wholesalers and partners to accelerate our current momentum.”

The North American CEO change coincides with AB InBev setting out to bolster its US manufacturing operations, reportedly investing US$600 million dollars in its brewing facilities.

In North America, the beer company has also previously referenced plans to primarily focus on building upon the success of its Michelob Ultra and Busch Light brands, despite beer sales seeing many declines across the industry.

Reports from across the US have also outlined the fact that AB InBev has looked to mergers and acquisitions in a bid to build its “beyond beer” portfolio. One example of this can be seen from the brand having recently announced plans to acquire a majority stake in party punch brand BeatBox.

Last week, AB InBev revealed that its third-quarter revenue reached US$16.5 billion, showing a 4.9% increase from 2025. However, in the same quarter, the drinks giant also reported that volume for beer fell 0.1%, while its non-beer portfolio volume grew 4%, showing how the business may evolve to reflect drinking trends.


04 November, 2026