Restaurant India News: McDonald’s Beats Expectations with 6.8 percent U.S. Sales Jump

McDonald's reported a strong fourth quarter, driven by its renewed focus on value pricing and promotional campaigns in the U.S. market. According to the company’s earnings release, U.S. comparable sales rose 6.8 percent during the quarter, exceeding analyst expectations of 4.9 percent and marking the brand’s highest quarterly increase in two years.

The Chicago-based quick service chain attributed the performance to expanded low-priced meal bundles and aggressive promotional activity. The return of its Monopoly promotion in October, after nearly a decade, and the introduction of value offers starting at 5 dollars last November contributed to higher customer traffic.

Chris Kempczinski, Chairman and CEO of McDonald’s, said, "McDonald's value leadership is working. By listening to customers and taking action, we have improved traffic and strengthened our value & affordability scores. That focus helped increase global systemwide sales by 8 percent and delivered strong comp sales growth across all segments this quarter. The momentum we've built reinforces the progress we've made with our strategy and has earned us the right to look forward together as a system."

For the fourth quarter, global comparable sales increased 5.7 percent. The U.S. grew 6.8 percent, international operated markets rose 5.2 percent, and international developmental licensed markets increased 4.5 percent. Consolidated revenues were up 10 percent, while systemwide sales grew 11 percent. Consolidated operating income increased 10 percent, including pre-tax charges of 80 million dollars primarily linked to restructuring initiatives. Excluding current year charges and prior year pre-tax net charges of 3 million dollars, operating income rose 13 percent.

Diluted earnings per share stood at 3.03 dollars, up 8 percent. Excluding 0.09 dollars per share in current year charges and prior year charges, diluted earnings per share was 3.12 dollars, an increase of 10 percent, or 7 percent in constant currencies. The company also announced a 5 percent increase in its quarterly cash dividend to 1.86 dollars per share.

For the full year 2025, global comparable sales increased 3.1 percent. U.S. sales rose 2.1 percent, international operated markets grew 3.2 percent, and international developmental licensed markets increased 4.6 percent. The results highlight how structured value positioning and targeted promotions continue to drive traffic recovery and revenue growth in a price-sensitive consumer environment.