McDonald’s slide continues with 2.2% comp decline

In McDonald’s last monthly comp-sales report before going dark, the limping giant reported a 2.2-percent decline in same-store sales for domestic units in May.

The franchisor said the decrease was the result of declining traffic, which it attributed to heightened competition. Joe Buckley, the restaurant analyst for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, pegged the traffic falloff at 6 percent and characterized McDonald’s loss of market share for the month as “significant.”

McDonald’s featured premium-priced sandwiches during May, including third-of-a-pound Angus burgers and a new “artisan” chicken sandwich.

The company’s management has said it will discontinue airing monthly sales results after posting the May figures. The corporation is being restructured, and a number of initiatives are being tried to revive sales and traffic in the United States.
 

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Leadership

Restaurants bring the industry's concerns to Congress

Neary 600 operators made their case to lawmakers as part of the National Restaurant Association’s Public Affairs Conference.

Financing

Podcast transcript: Virtual Dining Brands co-founder Robbie Earl

A Deeper Dive: What is the future of digital-only concepts? Earl discusses their work to ensure quality and why focusing on restaurant delivery works.

Financing

In the fast-casual sector, Chipotle laps Panera Bread

The Bottom Line: The two fast-casual restaurant pioneers have diverged over the past five years, as the burrito chain has thrived while Panera hit a wall. Here's why.

Trending

More from our partners