Holy Cow, McDonald's!

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McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) is the fast-food industry's center of attention these days -- with good reason. It seems there's always some new surprise beneath the Golden Arches, with the retailer's healthy June comps growth only the most recent example.

McDonald's June same-restaurant sales increased a whopping 8.4%, marking the 50th consecutive month that McDonald's has achieved positive comps. That's a far cry from several years ago, when the company desperately needed a turnaround.  

The fast-food giant said it expects a loss for the coming second quarter -- no surprise, since McDonald's had already announced that it would take a charge for a developmental license transaction in Latin America and the Caribbean, resulting in a $1.31-per-share deficit. Based solely on  continuing operations, though, the company predicted earnings of $0.71 per share, up from $0.56 per share year over year.

McDonald's is once more proving a formidable rival to fellow burger-slingers like Burger King (NYSE: BKC) and the flailing Wendy's (NYSE: WEN). The chain is even trying to give coffee giant Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) a run for its money by adding gourmet coffee to its menu. Few investors seem to underestimate McDonald's abilities there, either.  

June's success seems like more of McDonald's amazing recent winning streak, though investors may be wondering how long the fast-food standard can keep it up. We'll get a better idea when the company reports its full second-quarter numbers July 24. For now, though, seeing the way Mickey D's juiced June eases any fears I might have had of a potential slowdown.

For related Foolishness, put a few of these on the menu:

• McDonald's was still going strong back in April.
• Does McDonald's have a thirst for power?
• Mickey D's beefed up profit in January, too.

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Alyce Lomax owns shares of Starbucks. The Fool's disclosure policy comes with special sauce.