McD Global Same-Store Sales Up 5.5%

McDonald's Corp. global same-store sales rose 5.5 percent in October, fueled by the chain's popular Monopoly promotion and featured products in the United States and strong performances in its international markets.

McDonald's global same-store sales gain reflects hikes of 5.2 percent in the United States, 4.8 percent in Europe, and 6.1 percent in the Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa, or APMEA, division.

The company's domestic system benefited from another year of consumer interest in the Monopoly game, as well as from strong sales of the Big Mac, Chicken McNuggets, Fruit & Maple Oatmeal and McCafé beverages, officials said.

A year ago, McDonald's drove a 5.6-percent same-store sales gain in October when the Monopoly promotion, combined with good weather, sparked robust sales of new McCafé Frappes and Real Fruit Smoothies.

Europe's same-store sales gain also compared with a higher result from a year earlier, at 5.8 percent. The company said strong performance in France, Russia and the United Kingdom fueled results, as did a segment-wide effort to reimage restaurants and balance menus among everyday affordability, locally relevant items and limited-time offers.

APMEA's 6.1-percent same-store sales gain this October compared favorably with a 5.3-percent increase a year earlier. The company said operations in Australia, China and Japan led the way.

Year-to-date through Oct. 31, McDonald's global same-store sales of 5 percent slightly trail the 5.2-percent figure from a year earlier, due to a lower increase year-to-date in APMEA, where the brand's Japan marketplace was affected by the March 11 earthquake.

Same-store sales have risen 4.1 percent in the United States year-to-date, compared with 3.8 percent at that time a year earlier. The European system's 5.4-percent increase in year-to-date same-store sales also leads the year-earlier result of 4.9 percent, while APMEA has recorded a 4.1-percent same-store sales increase year-to-date, compared with 6.1 percent a year earlier.

McDonald's Corp. operates or franchises more than 33,000 quick-service restaurants in 119 countries.

Contact Mark Brandau at mark.brandau@penton.com.
Follow him on Twitter: @Mark_from_NRN