Mon 10th Feb 2025 - McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes down 0.1% in 2024, UK business sees sales drop in fourth quarter McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes down 0.1% in 2024, UK business sees sales drop in fourth quarter: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-likes were up 0.4% year-on-year in its fourth quarter ending 31 December 2024 but the UK saw a sales drop. Global like-for-like sales for the full year were down 0.1% year-on-year. For the full year, US like-for-like sales were up 0.2% year-on-year. The “international operated” segment, which includes the UK, saw like-for-like sales fall 0.2% year-on-year. The “international developmental” licensed segment saw like-for-likes down 0.3% year-on-year. Chief executive Chris Kempczinski said: “Accelerating the Arches continues to be the right strategy as we focus on growing market share. We're playing to win, focusing on our customers with outstanding value, exciting menu innovation and culturally relevant marketing.” The company said global systemwide sales were more than $130bn for the full year, with full year growth of more than $1bn. McDonald’s added systemwide sales to loyalty members were approximately $30bn for the full year and approximately $8bn for the quarter across 60 loyalty markets, with full year growth of 30% over prior year. McDonald’s added 90-day active loyalty users were more than 175 million across 60 loyalty markets as of year-end, with growth of approximately 15% over prior year. US fourth-quarter like-for-likes were down 1.4% year-on-year “reflecting a decline in average spend, partly offset by slightly positive comparable guest counts”, McDonald’s said. Like-for-like sales in the fourth quarter for the “international operated” segment were up 0.1%. McDonald’s said the slightly positive segment performance was driven by mixed results across the markets. Results reflected positive comparable sales in most markets, partly offset by negative comparable sales in some markets, led by the UK, the company added. In the “international developmental” licenced segment, fourth-quarter like-for-like sales were up 4.1% year-on-year. Segment performance reflected positive comparable sales led by the Middle East and Japan, McDonald’s said. Revenue for the quarter was down to $6,388m (2023: $6,406m) while full-year revenue rose 2% to $25,920m (2022: $25,494m). McDonald’s UK features in the Propel 500 report, an unparalleled resource that profiles the UK’s leading hospitality operators ranked by turnover – which is available now. This comprehensive report provides more than 90,000 words of analysis, delving into company histories, leadership structures, site numbers and financial performance, making it an essential resource for industry professionals. A list of the operators included can be discovered now by visiting the Propel 500 page on Propel’s website. The guide is delivered in two parts: an introductory PDF, featuring deep dives into the top 25 companies and 6,500 words of insight from Propel’s expert writers, and a fully searchable Excel sheet, offering easy access to all the data. Key highlights include Mark Wingett’s exploration of mergers and acquisitions shaping the Top 500’s future, Tim Street’s view of the UK’s franchise market, and Phil Pemberton’s insights into experiential leisure as a hospitality cornerstone. Katherine Doggrell examines developments in UK hotels, while Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, identifies emerging growth sectors, and Maria Vanifatova, founder of Meaningful Vision, analyses trends in quick service restaurants. Propel 500 is available now for £595 plus VAT. Existing Premium Club members can purchase it for £395 plus VAT. Premium Club members will receive the report for free on Friday, 28 February at 9am. Order the Propel 500 report today by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.