McDonald's Reports August Global Comparable Sales Up 3.9% -- Its 16th Consecutive Monthly Increase
- Year-to-date August 2004 global comparable sales increased 7.6%
- U.S. comparable sales were up 7.2% in August; 10.4% year-to-date
PRNewswire-FirstCall
OAK BROOK, Ill.
Sep 8, 2004
Charlie Bell, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our customer-focused Plan to Win continues to drive sales increases. Global comparable sales were up 3.9% in August -- our 16th consecutive monthly increase. Systemwide sales at all McDonald's restaurants increased 8.6%, or 4.6% in constant currencies.
"In the U.S., our momentum continued as improved service, expanded menu choice and variety, including the recent launch of our premium Chicken Selects, and leadership marketing gave more customers more reasons to visit McDonald's. Comparable sales were up 7.2% in August -- an impressive figure on top of the 8.8% comparable sales increase last year.
"In Europe, we're making progress revitalizing our business as evidenced by the 3.1% increase in year-to-date comparable sales versus the 2.1% decline for the same period in 2003. Europe's August comparable sales were down slightly due to weak performance in Germany, as well as poor weather and a decline in tourism across the continent. Our Salads Plus menu continued to perform well, with increased momentum in several markets contributing to top line sales and restaurant cash flow.
"Looking ahead, our goal remains the same: deliver sustainable, profitable growth over the long term. We will achieve this objective by sticking with our Plan to Win, which is completely focused on satisfying customers."
August Comparable Sales
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Month-to-Date Year-to-Date
Percent Increase/(Decrease) 2004 2003 2004 2003
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McDonald's Restaurants* 3.9 3.8 7.6 0.3
Major Segments:
U.S. 7.2 8.8 10.4 3.7
Europe (0.9) 1.0 3.1 (2.1)
APMEA** 0.9 (4.0) 6.4 (6.4)
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August Systemwide Sales
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Month-to-Date Year-to-Date
As Constant As Constant
Percent Increase Reported Currency Reported Currency
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McDonald's Restaurants* 8.6 4.6 13.0 8.4
Major Segments:
U.S. 7.7 7.7 11.1 11.1
Europe 11.0 0.6 15.4 4.5
APMEA** 6.8 1.3 14.6 6.3
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* Excludes non-McDonald's brands
** Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa
Definitions
- Comparable sales represent sales at all McDonald's restaurants in
operation at least thirteen months, excluding the impact of currency
translation. Management reviews the increase or decrease in comparable
sales compared with the same period in the prior year to assess business
trends.
- Systemwide sales include sales at all McDonald's restaurants, including
those operated by the Company, franchisees and affiliates. Management
believes Systemwide sales information is useful in analyzing the
Company's revenues because franchisees and affiliates pay rent, service
fees and/or royalties that generally are based on a percent of sales
with specified minimum rent payments.
- Information in constant currency is calculated by translating current
year results at prior year average exchange rates.
Upcoming Communications
Key members of McDonald's management team will speak at the Goldman Sachs Global Retailing Conference today at 10:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). This presentation will be webcast live and available for replay for a limited time at http://www.investor.mcdonalds.com/ .
More than 30,000 local McDonald's restaurants serve about 47 million customers each day in more than 100 countries. Please visit our website at http://www.mcdonalds.com/ to learn more about the Company.
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 September 8, 2004. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. A list of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or underlying, these forward-looking statements is detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as its annual and quarterly reports.
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SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation
CONTACT: Investors, Mary Healy, +1-630-623-6429, or Media, Anna Rozenich,
+1-630-623-7316, both of McDonald's Corporation
Web site: http://www.mcdonalds.com/