Global comparable sales rose 1.3% but U.S. growth missed forecasts due to execution issues and weak value-menu performance.
McDonald’s reported second-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $3.38, up 5% year-over-year on a constant-currency basis, including a $0.03 boost from foreign exchange. Global comparable sales increased 1.3%, while systemwide sales grew 4% in constant currency, driven by international markets but offset by U.S. underperformance.
U.S. comparable sales rose just 0.8%, below expectations, as inconsistent value-menu execution and operational challenges weighed on results. July saw a slight decline in U.S. comparable sales, prompting a shift in marketing strategy and operational simplification. The company generated over $4 billion in restaurant margins for the quarter.
Management attributed the U.S. struggles to execution rather than strategic flaws and delayed its 50,000-restaurant expansion target to 2028 due to consumer pressure and higher costs.