McDonald's higher US sales in Q1 help overcome weakness from boycotts overseas
McDonald’s said higher U.S. sales in the first quarter helped it overcome weakness in the Middle East and other markets where consumers have been boycotting the brand over its perceived support for Israel
McDonald’s said higher U.S. sales in the first quarter helped it overcome weakness in the Middle East and other markets where consumers have been boycotting the brand.
The Chicago burger giant said its same-store sales – or sales at stores open at least a year -- rose 1.9% worldwide in the January-March period. That was slightly below Wall Street’s forecast of a 2.1% increase, according to analysts polled by FactSet.
In the U.S., same-store sales rose 2.5% as the company raised prices and saw higher demand for delivery. But sales fell slightly in McDonald’s international franchised markets.
Customers across the Middle East and in Muslim-majority markets like Indonesia and Malaysia have been boycotting McDonald’s for months over its perceived support for Israel. The boycotts began in October, after McDonald’s local Israeli franchisee announced it was providing free meals for Israeli troops involved in the war in Gaza.
