McDonald's U.S. November Sales Unexpectedly Fall McDonald's same-store restaurant sales fell 0.8 percent in November, dragging worldwide sales short of monthly predictions.
By Kate Taylor
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McDonald's reported global sales fell short of analysts' November predictions, as comparable-stores sales in the U.S. drastically dropped.
Same-restaurant sales fell 0.8 percent in the U.S.-- far short of the 0.3 percent gain analysts had expected.
Worldwide sales at restaurants open at least 13 months rose 0.5 percent last month, just shy of the 0.6 percent analysts predicted. Breakfast, chicken offerings and value options drove most of the growth, the company said.
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Outside the U.S., results were mixed. Same-restaurant sales in Europe rose 1.9 percent, exceeding the expected 0.8 percent increase. Meanwhile comparable sales in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa fell 2.3 percent, a greater fall than the predicted 0.7 percent decline, primarily due to continued negative results in Japan.
McDonald's has struggled with balancing roll out of new products with profitability in 2013. The burger chain recently launched or will soon launch offerings including Mighty Wings, Southwest Premium McWrap and White Chocolate and Peppermint Mocha. In 2014, McDonald's says plans to leverage the breadth of menu choices and strengthen customer service.
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