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McDonald’s credits pandemic moves for 13.6% increase in Q1 U.S. SSSMcDonald’s credits pandemic moves for 13.6% increase in Q1 U.S. SSS

Quick-service brand’s executives cite digital, delivery and drive-thru along with menu simplification and promotions for positive outlook

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

April 29, 2021

4 Min Read
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Doubling down on digital, delivery and drive-thru helped propel McDonald’s Corp. to a 13.6% increase in domestic same-store sales in the first quarter ended March 31, executives said Thursday.

Executives at the Chicago-based burger giant, in releasing the company’s first-quarter earnings, said tests of self-delivery in select U.S. markets, a pilot loyalty program, new products like the crispy chicken sandwich line, marketing of Famous Orders with the South Korean pop group BTS and the easing of COVID-19 pandemic dine-in restrictions would likely continue the sales increases the brand has seen.

Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, said the 14,000-unit domestic system benefited for the simplification of the brand’s menu during the pand...

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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