McDonald's reported its worst quarterly sales for the United States since the height of the pandemic in 2020, citing lower guest counts and a decline in traffic among middle and low-income diners. The chain is facing challenges amid the turbulent economic environment in the U.S. and abroad.
Key Points
Consumers grappling with uncertainty
Wealthy consumers continue to spend freely
Economic environment affected by President Donald Trump's tariffs policies
Signs of consumers pulling back on discretionary spending
Pros
High-income traffic remained stable
Plans to open 2,200 locations to boost sales growth
Successful promotional tie-in with 'Minecraft Movie'
Refreshed value offerings positioning it strongly against competitors
Cons
Largest three-month drop in U.S. same-store sales since Q2 2020
Decline in traffic among middle and low-income diners
Revenues missing forecasts for the third time in four quarters
Notable uptick in anti-American sentiment among overseas consumers