OAK BROOK Ill. Strong breakfast business and a tie-in with this year's Shrek movie helped to raise McDonald's domestic same-store sales for May by 7.4 percent, bucking the industry trend, chain-parent McDonald's Corp. indicated Friday.
The company said U.S. systemwide sales for the month topped the tally for May 2006 by 8.2 percent. Worlwide, systemwide sales grew 11.9 percent, or 10 percent when currency fluctuations are negated.
Worldwide, the quick-service company said, comparable restaurant sales rose year-over-year by 8.7 percent.
The results run contrary to the pattern set by the quick-service or casual-dining chains that have already reported their sales for May. Many of those posted a decline in comparable sales, citing the ill effects of high gasoline prices and more conservative spending by consumers who worry about the softening price of their homes. CKE Restaurants Inc., for instance, reported a .9 percent decline in same-store sales for its Carl's Jr. chain. Comparable sales slipped .4 percent at the Cracker Barrel family chain despite a 2 percent increase in menu prices, parent CBRL Group said.
