He served as chairman and chief executive officer of McDonald's Corporation from 2003 until his sudden death by heart attack at the age of 60.

Cantalupo was born in Oak Park, Illinois, the eldest child in a family of Irish and Italian descent.

He was offered the job of controller with a substantial salary increase with the then fast growing McDonald's before taking a month to decide, finally joining in 1974.

[2] McDonald's announced his retirement plans in April 2001, but on December 1 Greenberg resigned and Cantalupo agreed to stay on for another year to help with the management transition.

[2] However, credit was given to Cantalupo for the company's recovery in the succeeding 12 months: "he devised a plan" which included "accelerating the introduction of healthier foods, such as salads".