McDonald's Corp. (MCD) announced Monday that global comparable sales for the month of February grew 4.8%, driven by the European and Asian markets.
The world's largest restaurant chain has been benefiting from new menu items, extended hours and sales of discounted burgers and breakfast foods to cash-strapped consumers. More than a year back, the company also began selling strong coffee to capture market share from specialty coffee retailer Starbucks Corp. (SBUX). McDonald's installed counters to sell cappuccino and lattes through 2009.
The company said U.S. comparable sales edged up 0.6%. Meanwhile, the company's system-wide sales for February rose 11.2%, and in constant currencies, sales grew only 6.4%.
Meanwhile, McDonald's rival Burger King Holdings Inc. (BKC) last month signed a deal with Starbucks to offer Seattle's Best Coffee in about 7,250 Burger King restaurants across the U.S. by September 2010, at a suggested retail price of $1 to $2.79. The 100% Arabica beans coffee will replace Burger King's current BK JOE coffee program that was launched in 2005, and enhance the company's beverage platform and breakfast menu.
In a statement, chief executive officer, Jim Skinner said, "Our worldwide results for February show that we're satisfying the needs of our customers around the world by giving them more choice and variety, unbeatable value and the convenience they're looking for given today's busy lifestyles."
McDonald's, the world's leading hamburger chain and a Dow component, is more or less a household name in the U.S., with offerings such as World Famous French Fries, Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets and Egg McMuffin. McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 32,000 local restaurants serving 60 million people in more than 117 countries each day. More than 75% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local men and women.
The Oak Brook, Illinois-based company noted that global comparable sales, which represent sales at all restaurants in operation at least thirteen months, grew 4.8% for the month of February, on top of a 1.4% increase in the same month a year ago.
Meanwhile, system-wide sales for McDonald's worldwide restaurants for the month, including sales at all restaurants, whether operated by the company or by franchisees, increased 11.2% in February, yet increased only 6.4% in constant currencies.
According to McDonald's, the world's biggest hamburger chain, comparable sales represent the change in sales at all restaurants in operation at least thirteen months, including those temporarily closed, but excluding the impact of currency translation.
Geographically, February comparable sales in the U.S. edged up 0.6%, compared to prior year's growth of 2.8%. U.S. system-wide sales also grew 1.2% for the month. Sales were boosted by the compelling Breakfast Dollar Menu, McCafe beverages as well as the Olympic-themed Chicken McNugget promotion.
In Europe, comparable sales grew 5.4% on top of a 0.2% decline last year. The performance in the region was lead by the U.K., France, and many others, boosted by affordable menu choices for core and seasonal products, as well as a contemporary restaurant environment. System-wide sales in the month rose 16.4% on a reported basis, but increased only 7.7% in constant currencies.
Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa, or APMEA recorded significant comparable sales growth of 10.5%, over prior year's comparable sales growth of only 0.7%, driven by positive comparable sales in Australia, Japan, and also China, where the Chinese New Year celebrations boosted sales. The sales in the region were bolstered by everyday affordability of compelling value offerings, ans well as great tasting premium menu selections. Monthly system-wide sales grew 23.9% on a reported basis, and 13.4% in constant currencies.
For the year-to-date period, McDonald's global comparable sales grew 3.6%, on top of a 4.3% increase in the same period a year ago. Meanwhile, system-wide sales for McDonald's worldwide restaurants for the period increased 10.1%, yet increased only 5.3% in constant currencies.
Earlier in the month, McDonald's reportedly signed a deal with WeightWatchers to promote a new range of healthy meals. The dieting company has agreed to put their logo on three McDonald's Classics - Chicken McNuggets, the Filet-O-Fish and the Sweet Chilli Seared Chicken wrap. The healthy options started sale in New Zealand last week, with sales in other countries to start later this year.
In its latest quarterly results, McDonald's reported in January a 23% year-over-year growth in profit for the fourth quarter, helped by a global comparable sales growth of 2.3% amid higher demand. Net income was $1.22 billion or $1.11 per share, up from $0.99 billion or $0.87 per share last year. Quarterly revenues increased 7% to $6.0 billion from the previous year's revenue of $5.57 billion.
McDonald's recently announced plans to close down about 430 restaurants at its 50%-owned affiliate McDonald's Japan over the next 12 to 18 months. This action is in conjunction with the strategic review of the market's real estate portfolio, and is expected to record after tax impairment charges totaling about $40 million to $50 million, primarily in the first half of fiscal 2010.
MCD closed Friday's regular trading session at $63.67, down $0.05 on a volume of 8.15 million shares, higher than the three-month average volume of 7.46 million shares. In the past 52-week period, the stock has been trading in a range of $50.51 to $65.75.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.