McDonald’s global sales suffer as COVID-19 lockdowns limit operations

(Reuters) – McDonald’s Corp (MCD.N) on Tuesday reported a bigger-than-expected drop in global same-store sales and missed profit expectations, as its restaurants were shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting operations to only drive-thru and delivery.

FILE PHOTO: A sign is seen at a McDonald’s restaurant in Queens, New York, U.S., March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Shares of the Chicago-based restaurant chain fell about 2% before the opening bell.

Global same-store sales fell 23.9% for the second quarter ended June 30, dragged down by big international markets including the United Kingdom, France and Latin America.

Analysts had forecast a 23.24% fall, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

vCard QR Code

vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.

The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.

In the United States, where it operates more than a third of its restaurants, same-restaurant sales fell 8.7%, but were better than the anticipated 9.97% fall, as most locations were able to stay open with drive-thru and delivery options.

As lockdowns eased, sales improved and losses were not as bad, providing some optimism for a measured rebound.

Restaurants have been struggling to cope with the changing dynamics and consumer behaviors around the health crisis, forcing them to simplify menus and shift largely to online and mobile orders for pickup, delivery and drive-thru.

“Our strong drive-thru presence and the investments we’ve made in delivery and digital over the past few years have served us well through these uncertain times,” Chief Executive Officer Chris Kempczinski said.

To help drive its recovery, McDonald’s, like many other U.S. restaurant chains and retailers, said face coverings would be mandatory at its stores in the United States and employees would offer one to anyone entering without a mask.

The company said about 96% of its restaurants were operating with drive-thru, delivery or reduced seating capacity.

Revenue fell 30.5% to $3.76 billion, but beat the estimate of $3.68 billion.

Net income fell 68% to $483.8 million. Excluding one-time items, McDonald’s earned 66 cents per share, 8 cents below expectations.

Reporting by Nivedita Balu in Bengaluru and Hilary Russ in New York; Editing by Bernard Orr

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
source: reuters.com


🕐 Top News in the Last Hour By Importance Score

# Title 📊 i-Score
1 SAIC wins $55 million Space Development Agency contract for satellite network integration 🔴 78 / 100
2 Global growth forecast slashed by IMF over tariff impact 🔴 75 / 100
3 Judge questions deportation case of Harvard scientist accused of smuggling frog embryos 🔴 75 / 100
4 How Do I Sign Up for a Library Card? What to Do and What It Gets You 🔴 72 / 100
5 Giant coral colony discovered in Red Sea tourism hotspot 🔴 70 / 100
6 Sophie Nyweide Dead: Police Share Investigation Details 🔵 55 / 100
7 American tourist visits world's narrowest city – 'everyone is super-friendly' 🔵 50 / 100
8 Don't miss the Lyrid meteor shower peak tonight: Here's what to expect 🔵 45 / 100
9 Fireworks as thousands greet Serbian students who cycled to France seeking EU support for protests 🔵 42 / 100
10 Five gardening jobs you must do before end of April 🔵 35 / 100

View More Top News ➡️