Companies

International Sales Save McDonald’s Top Line as Consumers Hunt for Value

The fast-food franchise giant reported fourth-quarter 2024 global comparable sales of 0.4 percent, as U.S. sales decreased by 1.4 percent.
International Sales Save McDonald’s Top Line as Consumers Hunt for Value
A McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburger and fries are shown in this photograph, in New York City, on Oct. 23, 2024. AP Photo/Richard Drew
Panos Mourdoukoutas
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News Analysis

A slight rise in international sales saved McDonald’s top line from a significant decline as consumers became more price-sensitive and looked for deals in the quick-service industry. This leaves little room for price hikes for restaurants wanting to maintain and expand market shares.

Panos Mourdoukoutas
Panos Mourdoukoutas
Author
Panos Mourdoukoutas is a professor of economics at Long Island University in New York City. He also teaches security analysis at Columbia University. He’s been published in professional journals and magazines, including Forbes, Investopedia, Barron's, IBT, and Journal of Financial Research. He’s also the author of many books, including “Business Strategy in a Semiglobal Economy” and “China's Challenge.”