McDonald's Reports Global Comparable Sales For July

OAK BROOK, Ill., Aug. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's Corporation today announced that global comparable sales decreased 2.5% in July.  Performance by segment was as follows:

• U.S. down 3.2%
• Europe up 0.5%
• Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) down 7.3%

"McDonald's global growth priorities - providing our customers with their favorite food and drinks, creating memorable experiences, offering unparalleled convenience and becoming an even more trusted brand - are the foundation of our customer-centric approach to building our business for the long term," said McDonald's President and Chief Executive Officer Don Thompson.  "Although July's results were not in-line with McDonald's expectations, we intend to strengthen our performance by addressing the current business headwinds with the discipline and conviction that inspire our customers' trust and loyalty."

In July, U.S. comparable sales decreased 3.2% amid continuing broad-based challenges.  During the month, the U.S. featured core favorites in conjunction with McDonald's global World Cup sponsorship and promoted premium beef and chicken options as the segment lapped a prior year Monopoly event.  McDonald's U.S. remains focused on enhancing its customer relevance and appeal through service, value and menu initiatives.

Europe's comparable sales rose 0.5% in July led by positive performance in France and the U.K., partly offset by negative performance in Germany and Russia.  McDonald's Europe is taking a holistic approach to building customer demand with a combination of compelling limited-time menu choices and expansion of the breakfast daypart and blended-ice beverages.

In July, APMEA's comparable sales decreased 7.3% reflecting the impact of food quality and safety issues at a supplier to McDonald's and other food companies in China.  As a consequence, results in China, Japan and certain other markets experienced a significant negative impact.  The affected markets represent approximately 10% of global systemwide sales and negatively impacted the segment's July comparable sales by over 700 basis points.  Going forward, McDonald's is undertaking recovery strategies to restore customers' trust and confidence.

In the Form 8-K dated July 22, 2014, the Company indicated that full year 2014 global comparable sales were expected to be relatively similar to year-to-date June performance (i.e. relatively flat) given a stagnant IEO category, sustained competitive activity, consumer price sensitivity and cost pressures.  However, as a result of the China supplier issue, the Company's global comparable sales forecast for 2014 is now at risk.

Systemwide sales for the month decreased 0.5%, or 0.0% in constant currencies.

Definitions

• Comparable sales represent sales at all restaurants, whether operated by the Company or by franchisees, in operation at least thirteen months including those temporarily closed. Some of the reasons restaurants may be temporarily closed include reimaging or remodeling, rebuilding, road construction and natural disasters. Comparable sales exclude the impact of currency translation. Comparable sales are driven by changes in guest counts and average check, which is affected by changes in pricing and product mix. Typically, pricing has a greater impact on average check than product mix. Management reviews the increase or decrease in comparable sales compared with the same period in the prior year to assess business trends.
• The number of weekdays and weekend days can impact our reported comparable sales. In July 2014, this calendar shift/trading day adjustment consisted of one less Monday and one more Thursday compared with July 2013. The resulting adjustment varied by area of the world, ranging from approximately 0.2% to 0.5%. In addition, the timing of holidays can impact comparable sales.
• Information in constant currency is calculated by translating current year results at prior year average exchange rates. Management reviews and analyzes business results excluding the effect of foreign currency translation and bases incentive compensation plans on these results because they believe this better represents the Company's underlying business trends.
• Systemwide sales include sales at all restaurants, whether operated by the Company or by franchisees. While franchised sales are not recorded as revenues by the Company, management believes the information is important in understanding the Company's financial performance because these sales are the basis on which the Company calculates and records franchised revenues and are indicative of the financial health of the franchisee base.

Upcoming Communications

The Company plans to release August 2014 sales information on September 9, 2014.

About McDonald's

McDonald's is the world's leading global foodservice retailer with over 35,000 locations serving approximately 70 million customers in over 100 countries each day.  More than 80% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business men and women.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as its annual and quarterly reports and current reports on Form 8-K.

SOURCE McDonald's Corporation

Investors: Kathy Martin, 630-623-7833 or Media: Becca Hary, 630-623-7293