Tue 31st Jan 2023 - McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes up 12.6% in fourth quarter and 10.9% in full year, UK business sees ‘strong’ growth McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes up 12.6% in fourth quarter and 10.9% in full year, UK business sees ‘strong’ growth: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-likes were up 12.6% year-on-year in its fourth quarter ending 31 December 2022 with the UK performing “strongly”. Global like-for-like sales for the full year increased 10.9% year-on-year, reflecting positive comparable sales across all segments. For the full year, US like-for-like sales were up 5.9% year-on-year. The “international operated” segment, which includes the UK, saw like-for-like sales increase 13.3% year-on-year. The “international developmental” licensed segment saw like-for-likes up 16.0% year-on-year. Chief executive Chris Kempczinski said: “Our Accelerating the Arches strategy is driving growth and building brand strength, delivering exceptional full-year performance in 2022 with more than 10% comparable sales growth and 5% comparable guest count growth globally. While we expect short-term inflationary pressures to continue in 2023, we remain highly confident in Accelerating the Arches, which now includes a greater emphasis on new restaurant openings. The recently announced Accelerating the Organisation initiative will complement this strategy to enable the McDonald's system to be faster, more innovative, and more efficient. We're proud of our continued strong performance, but we're not satisfied. That's the hallmark of McDonald's.” The company said digital systemwide sales in its top six markets were more than $7bn for the quarter, representing more than 35% of their systemwide sales. US fourth-quarter like-for-likes were up 10.3% year-on-year and benefited from strategic menu price increases and positive guest counts, McDonald’s said. It added: “Successful menu and marketing campaigns, such as the Cactus Plant Flea Market promotion and McRib, and continued digital and delivery growth contributed to strong comparable sales results.” Like-for-like sales in the fourth quarter for the “international operated” segment were up 12.6%. Strong operating performance drove positive comparable sales across the segment, led by strong comparable sales in Germany, the UK and France, the company said. The Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book shows a host of UK franchisees that have reported turnover and profits exceeding pre-pandemic levels as a result of both strong demand for delivery and a return in to in-store dining. In the “international developmental” licensed segment, fourth-quarter like-for-like sales were up 16.5% year-on-year. The quarter reflected strong comparable sales across the segment, led by Japan and Brazil, partly offset by negative comparable sales in China due to continued covid-19 related government restrictions, McDonald’s said. McDonald’s features in Propel’s Turnover & Profits Blue Book and UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database – two of five databases exclusive to Premium subscribers. The Blue Book is updated each month and ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. The UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database is an exhaustive guide to the companies offering a food and beverage franchise in the UK. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £895 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £445 plus VAT for operators and £545 plus VAT for suppliers. Email jo.charity@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.