OAK BROOK Ill. McDonald’s Corp. said global same-store sales rose 4.3 percent in July, including a 2.6-percent increase in the United States. Same-store sales increased 7.2 percent in Europe and 2.1 percent in the company’s Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa division.
McDonald’s kept busy with a steady stream of product news in the United States in July. The chain of nearly 14,000 U.S. locations debuted the Angus Third Pounder nationwide after testing the premium burgers had been in several markets for two years. The rollout marked McDonald’s first new burger since 2001.
McDonald's also gave away free samples of its McCafe Mochas every Monday from July 13 to Aug. 3. The McCafe line of espresso-based beverages debuted nationally May 5, also after several years in test.
“We remain aligned behind our customer-focused Plan to Win,” said McDonald’s chief executive Jim Skinner, “which continues to drive positive global comparable sales as we satisfy customers’ demands for menu variety, value and convenience.”
Systemwide sales fell 0.3 percent, reflecting negative impact from foreign-currency translation. In constant currencies, sales rose 6.2 percent, McDonald’s said.
The company said strong sales growth in France and the United Kingdom, as well as the chain’s tiered-menu approach and local summertime offerings, led to the same-store sales gain in Europe. McDonald’s credited the positive same-store sales in the Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa division mostly to ongoing sales momentum in Australia, which was partially offset by slowness in China.
McDonald’s Corp. has more than 32,000 restaurants, most of which are franchised, in more than 100 counties.
Contact Mark Brandau at [email protected].