McDONALD'S REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2025 RESULTS

Rhea-AI Summary

McDonald's (MCD) reported mixed Q1 2025 results with global comparable sales declining 1.0% (flat excluding Leap Day impact). The company saw varying performance across regions with U.S. sales down 3.6%, International Operated Markets down 1.0%, and International Developmental Licensed Markets up 3.5%. Consolidated revenues decreased 3% to $5.96 billion, while diluted EPS fell 2% to $2.60. Excluding restructuring charges of $66 million related to organizational modernization, adjusted EPS was $2.67. A bright spot was the company's loyalty program, which generated over $31 billion in systemwide sales across 60 markets for the trailing twelve months, including approximately $8 billion in Q1. The U.S. market faced challenges with negative comparable guest counts, while positive performance in the Middle East and Japan helped offset weakness in other regions.

Positive

• Strong loyalty program performance with $31 billion in systemwide sales across 60 markets
• International Developmental Licensed Markets showed growth with 3.5% comparable sales increase
• Positive performance in Middle East and Japan markets

Negative

• Global comparable sales declined 1.0%
• U.S. comparable sales decreased 3.6% with negative guest counts
• Consolidated revenues fell 3% to $5.96 billion
• Operating income decreased 3% to $2.65 billion
• Negative comparable sales in the UK market

Insights

Financial Analyst

McDonald's reported declining sales and earnings with U.S. guest traffic falling, indicating challenges in its largest market despite strong loyalty program.

McDonald's Q1 2025 results reveal concerning trends in the company's performance. Global comparable sales fell 1.0% (though the company notes this was essentially flat when excluding the Leap Day comparison from 2024). The most troubling metric is the 3.6% decline in U.S. comparable sales, which was "primarily driven by negative comparable guest counts" – indicating fewer customers are visiting U.S. locations.

Financial metrics broadly showed deterioration: consolidated revenues decreased 3% (2% in constant currencies), while operating income fell 3% (1% in constant currencies). Diluted EPS came in at $2.60, down 2% from the prior year. Even when excluding $66 million in restructuring charges related to the company's "Accelerating the Organization" initiative, adjusted EPS of $2.67 still represented a 1% decline year-over-year.

The performance varied significantly by region. While the U.S. struggled with declining traffic and the UK dragged down International Operated Markets (falling 1.0%), the International Developmental Licensed Markets segment grew 3.5%, driven by strength in the Middle East and Japan.

McDonald's loyalty program represents a bright spot, with systemwide sales to loyalty members exceeding $31 billion for the trailing twelve months and approximately $8 billion for the quarter across 60 markets. This indicates the company has built substantial recurring customer relationships, though it hasn't prevented the traffic decline in the U.S.

CEO Chris Kempczinski acknowledged that "consumers today are grappling with uncertainty," which suggests macroeconomic pressures may be impacting McDonald's core customer base. The company's restructuring efforts also appear to be expanding rather than concluding, with current quarter charges of $66 million compared to $35 million in the prior year period.

• Global comparable sales decreased 1.0%; excluding Leap Day in the prior year, global comparable sales were essentially flat
• Systemwide sales* to loyalty members across 60 loyalty markets were more than $31 billion for the trailing twelve-month period and approximately $8 billion for the quarter

CHICAGO, May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's Corporation today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

"McDonald's has a 70-year legacy of innovation, leadership, and proven agility, all of which give us confidence in our ability to navigate even the toughest of market conditions and gain market share," said Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski. "Consumers today are grappling with uncertainty, but they can always count on McDonald's for both exciting new menu items and delicious favorites for exceptional value, from a brand they love."

First quarter financial performance:

• Global comparable sales decreased 1.0%, impacted by the comparison to Leap Day in the prior year:
  • U.S. decreased 3.6%
  • International Operated Markets decreased 1.0%
  • International Developmental Licensed Markets increased 3.5%
• Consolidated revenues decreased 3% (2% in constant currencies).
• Systemwide sales decreased 1% (increased 1% in constant currencies).
• Consolidated operating income decreased 3% (1% in constant currencies). Results reflected pre-tax charges of $66 million and $35 million for the current year and prior year, respectively, primarily related to restructuring charges associated with Accelerating the Organization. Excluding these current and prior year charges, consolidated operating income decreased 2% (flat in constant currencies).**
• Diluted earnings per share was $2.60, a decrease of 2% (1% in constant currencies). Excluding the current year charges described above of $0.07 per share, diluted earnings per share was $2.67, a decrease of 1% (increase of 1% in constant currencies) when also excluding prior year charges.**

*Refer to page 3 for a definition of Systemwide sales.

**Refer to page 2 for additional details on our results for the first quarter 2025 and 2024.

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COMPARABLE SALES

		Increase/(Decrease)
		Quarters Ended March 31,
		2025		2024
U.S.		(3.6) %		2.5 %
International Operated Markets		(1.0)		2.7
International Developmental Licensed Markets		3.5		(0.2)
Total Company		(1.0) %		1.9 %

 

• Comparable Sales: All segments were impacted by the comparison to Leap Day in the prior year.
  • U.S.: Comparable sales results were primarily driven by negative comparable guest counts.
  • International Operated Markets: Comparable sales reflected mixed results across the markets, primarily impacted by negative comparable sales in the U.K.
  • International Developmental Licensed Markets: Positive comparable sales were primarily driven by the Middle East and Japan.

KEY FINANCIAL METRICS - CONSOLIDATED
Dollars in millions, except per share data

	Quarters Ended March 31,
	2025		2024		Inc/ (Dec)			Inc/ (Dec) Excluding Currency Translation
Revenues	$     5,956		$     6,169		(3)	%		(2)	%
Operating income	2,648		2,736		(3)			(1)
Net income	1,868		1,929		(3)			(2)
Earnings per share-diluted	$       2.60		$       2.66		(2)	%		(1)	%

Results included pre-tax charges of $66 million, or $0.07 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and $35 million, or $0.04 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily related to restructuring charges associated with the Company's internal effort to modernize ways of working (Accelerating the Organization).

Excluding the above items, operating income performance was primarily driven by lower Franchised and Company-owned and operated margins.

NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE-DILUTED RECONCILIATION 

Dollars in millions, except per share data

	Quarters Ended March 31,
	Net Income										Earnings per share - diluted
	2025		2024		Inc/ (Dec)			Inc/ (Dec) Excluding Currency Translation			2025		2024		Inc/ (Dec)			Inc/ (Dec) Excluding Currency Translation
GAAP	$   1,868		$   1,929		(3)	%		(2)	%		$      2.60		$      2.66		(2)	%		(1)	%
(Gains)/Charges	51		27								0.07		0.04
Non-GAAP	$   1,919		$   1,957		(2)	%		—	%		$      2.67		$      2.70		(1)	%		1	%

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THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS APPLY TO THESE TERMS AS USED THROUGHOUT THIS RELEASE

Constant currency results exclude the effects of foreign currency translation and are calculated by translating current year results at prior year average exchange rates. Management reviews and analyzes business results excluding the effect of foreign currency translation, impairment and other charges and gains, as well as material regulatory and other income tax impacts, and bases incentive compensation plans on these results because the Company believes this better represents underlying business trends.

Comparable sales and comparable guest counts are compared to the same period in the prior year and represent sales and transactions, respectively, at all restaurants, whether owned and operated by the Company or by franchisees, in operation at least thirteen months including those temporarily closed. Some of the reasons restaurants may be temporarily closed include reimaging or remodeling, rebuilding, road construction, natural disasters, pandemics and acts of war, terrorism or other hostilities. Comparable sales exclude the impact of currency translation and the sales of any market considered hyperinflationary (generally identified as those markets whose cumulative inflation rate over a three-year period exceeds 100%), which management believes more accurately reflects the underlying business trends. Comparable sales are driven by changes in guest counts and average check, the latter of which is affected by changes in pricing and product mix.

Systemwide sales include sales at all restaurants, whether owned and operated by the Company or by franchisees. Systemwide sales to loyalty members is comprised of all sales to customers who self-identify as a loyalty member when transacting with both Company-owned and operated and franchised restaurants. Systemwide sales to loyalty members are measured across 60 markets with loyalty programs. Systemwide sales to loyalty members represents an aggregation of the prior four quarters of sales to loyalty members active in the last 90 days of the respective quarter. While franchised sales are not recorded as revenues by the Company, management believes the information is important in understanding the Company's financial performance because these sales are the basis on which the Company calculates and records franchised revenues and are indicative of the financial health of the franchisee base. The Company's revenues consist of sales by Company-owned and operated restaurants and fees from franchised restaurants operated by conventional franchisees, developmental licensees and affiliates. Changes in Systemwide sales are primarily driven by comparable sales and net restaurant unit expansion.  

Free cash flow, defined as cash provided by operations less capital expenditures, and free cash flow conversion rate, defined as free cash flow divided by net income, are measures reviewed by management in order to evaluate the Company's ability to convert net profits into cash resources, after reinvesting in the core business, that can be used to pursue opportunities to enhance shareholder value.

RELATED COMMUNICATIONS

This press release should be read in conjunction with Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filing for supplemental information related to the Company's results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

McDonald's Corporation will broadcast its investor earnings conference call live over the Internet at 7:30 a.m. (Central Time) on May 1, 2025. A link to the live webcast will be available at www.investor.mcdonalds.com. There will also be an archived webcast available for a limited time thereafter.

UPCOMING COMMUNICATIONS

For important news and information regarding McDonald's, including the timing of future investor conferences and earnings calls, visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's Internet home page at www.investor.mcdonalds.com. McDonald's uses this website as a primary channel for disclosing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information.

ABOUT McDONALD'S

McDonald's is the world's leading global foodservice retailer with over 43,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 95% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains certain forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors discussed in Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filing on May 1, 2025. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements, except as may otherwise be required by law.

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McDONALD'S CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
Dollars and shares in millions, except per share data
Quarters Ended March 31,	2025		2024		Inc/ (Dec)
Revenues
Revenues from franchised restaurants	$        3,661		$        3,723		$            (61)		(2) %
Sales by Company-owned and operated restaurants	2,132		2,355		(223)		(9)
Other revenues	162		91		71		78
TOTAL REVENUES	5,956		6,169		(213)		(3)
Operating costs and expenses
Franchised restaurants-occupancy expenses	620		627		(7)		(1)
Company-owned and operated restaurant expenses	1,859		2,035		(176)		(9)
Other restaurant expenses	140		68		72		n/m
Selling, general & administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization	107		99		9		9
Other	575		622		(47)		(7)
Other operating (income) expense, net	7		(17)		24		n/m
Total operating costs and expenses	3,308		3,433		(126)		(4)
OPERATING INCOME	2,648		2,736		(87)		(3)
Interest expense	376		372		4		1
Nonoperating (income) expense, net	(57)		(45)		(12)		27
Income before provision for income taxes	2,330		2,409		(79)		(3)
Provision for income taxes	461		479		(18)		(4)
NET INCOME	$        1,868		$        1,929		$            (61)		(3) %
EARNINGS PER SHARE-DILUTED	$          2.60		$          2.66		$         (0.06)		(2) %
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted	718.2		725.9		(7.7)		(1) %
n/m Not meaningful

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SOURCE McDonald's Corporation

FAQ

What were McDonald's (MCD) first quarter 2025 earnings results?

McDonald's reported Q1 2025 earnings with diluted EPS of $2.60, down 2% YoY. Global comparable sales decreased 1.0%, and consolidated revenues fell 3% to $5.96 billion.

How did McDonald's US sales perform in Q1 2025?

McDonald's U.S. comparable sales decreased 3.6% in Q1 2025, primarily driven by negative comparable guest counts.

How much revenue did McDonald's loyalty program generate?

McDonald's loyalty program generated over $31 billion in systemwide sales across 60 markets for the trailing twelve months, with approximately $8 billion in Q1 2025.

Which international markets performed best for McDonald's in Q1 2025?

The Middle East and Japan were the best-performing markets, driving positive comparable sales in the International Developmental Licensed Markets segment, which grew 3.5%.

What was McDonald's adjusted earnings per share for Q1 2025?

Excluding restructuring charges of $66 million ($0.07 per share), McDonald's adjusted EPS was $2.67 for Q1 2025.