McDonald’s Corp.’s global same-store sales rose 1.2 percent in April, led by a 2.9-percent gain in its Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa, or APMEA, division.
Same-store sales were flat in the United States in April, indicating that a free McCafé coffee giveaway and advertising against its breakfast menu in response to Taco Bell’s introduction of a morning menu did not overcome weak industry dynamics. McDonald’s also continued to advertise its Bacon Clubhouse sandwich on the premium end of its menu.
McDonald’s domestic result laps a 0.7-percent gain recorded for April 2013, but represents continued improvement from the 1.7-percent decrease in same-store sales for the first quarter of 2014.
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In Europe, weak sales in Germany once again offset relatively stronger performance in France and the United Kingdom, leading to a 0.3-percent increase in same-store sales for April. The European division faced a comparison against a 2.4-percent decline in same-store sales from a year earlier.
Similarly, APMEA was lapping a 2.9-percent decrease from a year earlier. Officials credited positive results in China and Australia for the segment’s 2.9-percent increase in same-store sales this past April. Japan remained a weak market for McDonald’s in April and will be a continued area of focus.
Oak Brook, Ill.-based McDonald’s operates or franchises more than 35,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries, including more than 14,000 units in the United States.
Contact Mark Brandau at [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @Mark_from_NRN