Traffic at McDonald’s U.S. restaurants fell in the third quarter as customers faced rising gas prices and an uncomfortably high cost of living.
In the United States, same-store sales – or sales in establishments open for at least a year – fell 0.2% over the July-September period, the Chicago burger giant announced on Wednesday. Although it wasn’t as bad as the 0.5% drop Wall Street expected, it was McDonald’s first decline since early 2025.
McDonald’s reinstated in-app offers and its marketing focused on value during the quarter, which helped push same-store sales into positive territory in September. But the shift in focus at McDonald’s shows how tough the economic environment has become for America’s fast-food companies.
In the third quarter, foot traffic fell 2.6% across the U.S. fast food industry, according to Revenue Management Solutions, a restaurant industry consultant.
“This is the environment we’re in right now. You have to be on your game and deliver that value,” McDonald’s Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski said during an investor presentation last month. “The pressure on the cost of living is not going to go away.”
Globally, same-store sales rose 1.3% during the same period that U.S. sales fell. Strong sales in Germany and Australia helped offset weakness in France, shaken by the protests that began in September.
Revenue rose 1% to $7.16 billion for the quarter, below Wall Street expectations of $7.28 billion.
Net profit increased 9% to $2.49 billion. After adjusting for one-time items, the company earned $3.57 per share. That beat analysts’ forecasts for earnings per share of $3.38.
Gn bussni
