Important Takeaways:

• McDonald’s U.S. store sales and earnings fell as the burger chain dealt with the fallout of an E. coli outbreak hitting its domestic business last year.
• The company said its U.S. same-store sales declined 1.4% in the three months ended Dec. 31, driven in part by customers spending less money per visit.
• McDonald’s said it expects to open 2,200 restaurants globally this year, up slightly from the total it projected last year. Around 600 of those locations would be in the U.S. Shares of the company rose 2% in premarket trading.
• Restaurants so far have reported mixed business results for the last three months of 2024. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Yum Brands’ Taco Bell and Chili’s owner Brinker International said their restaurants brought in more customers last quarter, while Starbucks, Pizza Hut and KFC marked declines in their domestic markets.
• McDonald’s had an uneven 2024, as it faced concerns about whether consumers were cutting visits because meal prices were too high.
• The company has doubled down on affordable meals since, releasing a broader value menu last month. The ongoing U.S. menu includes the chain’s $5 meal deal released last year, along with a new selection of items available for a dollar with another purchase.
• Outside the U.S., McDonald’s said its business improved in many markets, including the Middle East and Japan. The U.K. business remained a drag, the company said. Global same-store sales increased 0.4%, a better result than analysts had expected.

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