Traffic at U.S. McDonald's locations decreased during the third quarter, attributed to customers contending with elevated gas prices and the significant cost of living, according to ABC News.
U.S. same-store sales, a key metric for established restaurants, declined by 0.2% in the July-September period. This marks the first downturn for McDonald's since early 2025. In response, the company reintroduced in-app promotions and emphasized value in its marketing efforts, which helped to stabilize same-store sales by September. However, this shift highlights the intensifying economic pressures on U.S. fast-food companies.
Industry-wide, U.S. fast-food sector foot traffic dropped by 2.6% in the third quarter, according to data from Revenue Management Solutions. McDonald's Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski acknowledged the prevailing economic climate, stating that the company must remain competitive and deliver value. He noted that "The pressure around cost of living isn’t going away."
Globally, McDonald's fared better, with same-store sales rising 1.3% during the same quarter. This growth was bolstered by strong performance in Germany and Australia, which counteracted weaker sales in France, a market affected by protests that began in September.
The company reported a 1% increase in revenue, reaching $7.16 billion, though this fell short of Wall Street's projections of $7.28 billion. Net income saw a 9% rise, totaling $2.49 billion. On an adjusted basis, earnings per share were $3.57, surpassing analysts' expectations of $3.38.