Tue 25th Apr 2017 - McDonald’s reports like-for-likes up 4% in first quarter McDonald’s reports like-for-likes up 4% in first quarter: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-like sales rose 4% in its first quarter ended 31 March. “Our efforts to build a better McDonald’s are yielding meaningful results with continued positive momentum and a strong start to 2017 that includes positive comparable sales across all segments, higher global guest counts and enhanced profitability,” said McDonald’s chief executive Steve Easterbrook. “There’s a sense of urgency across the business as we take actions to retain existing customers, regain lapsed customers and convert casual customers to committed customers. We’re continuing to build a more personalised and enjoyable visit, which delights customers with the taste and quality of our food and offers the highest level of convenience, in order to gain traffic in an increasingly competitive industry and deliver profitable growth for our system and shareholders.” Consolidated revenues decreased 4% (3% in constant currencies) due to the impact of refranchising. The company stated: “In the US, first quarter comparable sales increased 1.7%, building upon strong prior year results that benefited from the launch of all-day breakfast. The US continues to strengthen its foundation as it executes strategic menu, value and convenience initiatives, with first quarter performance benefiting from the expansion of all-day breakfast offerings, along with the Big Mac and beverage value promotions. Operating income for the quarter increased 13%, reflecting savings from the company’s recent general and administrative, and refranchising initiatives, a gain from the strategic sale of a restaurant property and higher franchised margin dollars. The US continues to focus its efforts on driving guest count growth. Comparable sales for the international lead segment increased 2.8% for the quarter, primarily driven by continued momentum in the UK and Canada’s successful launch of all-day breakfast. The segment’s operating income increased 2% (6% in constant currencies), fuelled by sales-driven improvements in franchised margin dollars across most markets. In the high growth segment, first quarter comparable sales increased 3.8%, led by strong performance in China and positive results across the entire segment. The segment’s operating income rose 36% (38% in constant currencies), with about half of the increase resulting from lower depreciation expense due to the accounting treatment of the pending sale of the China and Hong Kong businesses. Results also benefited from prior year VAT reform in China. In the foundational markets and corporate segment, first quarter comparable sales rose 10.7% and operating income increased significantly, led by very strong performance in Japan as well as strong results across the segment’s other geographic regions.” Easterbrook added: “Today, we’re harnessing the strong execution of our fundamental business drivers, a sharp focus on our customers, the benefits of right-sizing our organisation and the contributions of the talented franchisees, suppliers and employees to seize the opportunities before us. We’re challenging ourselves to identify and pursue initiatives that can bring the biggest benefit to the most customers in the shortest possible time. I’m confident that we’re on the right path and well-positioned to unlock incremental growth and deliver against our velocity growth plan for 2017 and beyond.” Revenue in the quarter was $5,675.9bn.