Burger joint McDonald's (MCD 1.83%) announced today that global same-store sales rose 2.6% in May, with the best results in its major segments seen in the U.S., where comps rose 2.4%. Total company sales were 3.6% higher, or up 5.2% in constant currency.
Europe recorded year-over year comps gains of 2.0% in May as the U.K. and to a lesser degree Russia drove sales higher, but that was offset by weak results in Germany and France, which recorded negative comps.
In McDonald's Asia-Pacific/Middle East/Africa division, comps were up 0.9%, the weakest of its three major divisions, as an avian flu outbreak in China caused negative comps. That was only partially offset by flat performance in Japan. Total sales in the segment actually fell 0.6%, though stripping out currency exchange rates they were up 6.2%.
The company generates approximately 31% of its revenues from the U.S., and 39% from Europe. The APMEA market represents 23%, with the rest of the world making up the difference.
McDonald's CEO Don Thompson said: "McDonald's strategic initiatives and diligent focus on the customer generated global comparable sales growth in May amid ongoing uncertainty in the macro environment."
For McDonald's, comparable sales are sales at all restaurants, whether operated by the company or by franchisees, that are open at least 13 months. It noted May 2013 featured one less Tuesday and one more Friday than did May 2012.
McDonald's is the world's leading fast-food chain with more than 34,500 locations serving more than 69 million customers in more than 100 countries each day. More than 80% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent individuals. It recorded trailing revenues of $27.6 billion for the period ending March 31 with its stock gaining 13% so far this year.
