McDonald’s Corp. reported Tuesday that global same-store sales rose 3.9 percent in February, driven by strong performance of new menu items and a focus on providing value through multiple dayparts.
Comparable sales rose 2.7 percent in the United States in February. The company credited the ongoing positive results in part to the McCafe beverage lineup and the strong debut of Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, which launched at the beginning of 2011. The brand also introduced a Chipotle BBQ variety of its Angus Third Pounder and Angus Snack Wrap items early this year.
McDonald’s also said it would remain committed to enhancing the customer experience in the United States through updating décor, expanding McCafe offerings to make the chain a beverage destination, and promoting core products like hamburgers and Chicken McNuggets.
Same-store sales for the month increased 5.1 percent in Europe, led by restaurants in France, the United Kingdom and Russia. The company cited as sales drivers restaurant remodeling initiatives and high-end menu items like a new premium-beef campaign in France and the Big Tasty in the United Kingdom.
February comparable sales rose 4 percent in McDonald’s Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa division. Sales growth in Japan and Australia was offset partly by softness in China, where a shift in the timing of Chinese New Year negatively impacted results, the company said. McDonald’s credited limited-time offers for increasing sales across the division, including the Big America 2 burger promotion in Japan and the Value Lunch program in Australia.
Oak Brook, Ill.-based McDonald’s operates or franchises more than 32,000 quick-service restaurants in the United States and 117 foreign countries. The system is more than 80 percent franchised.
Contact Mark Brandau at [email protected].