McDonald’s (MCD) Q1 2026 earnings
People stroll by a McDonald’s restaurant on March 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kevin Carter | Getty Images
McDonald’s on Thursday reported quarterly earnings and income that beat analysts’ expectations, as diners spend extra at its US eating places even in what CEO Chris Kempczinski referred to as “a challenging environment.”
Shares of the fast-food large rose greater than 3% in premarket buying and selling.
Investors shall be listening for any indicators that buyers are feeling the pinch from larger gasoline costs on the corporate’s earnings convention name, which begins at 8:30 am ET. Other restaurant corporations, from Domino’s Pizza to Chipotle Mexican Grillhave reported that gross sales softened in March, after the US warfare with Iran started and led to spiking gasoline costs.
Here’s what the corporate reported in contrast with what Wall Street was anticipating, based mostly on a survey of analysts by LSEG:
- Earnings per share: $2.83 adjusted vs. $2.74 anticipated
- Revenue: $6.52 billion vs. $6.47 billion anticipated
McDonald’s reported first-quarter web revenue of $1.98 billion, or $2.78 per share, up from $1.87 billion, or $2.60 per share, a 12 months earlier.
Excluding restructuring costs and different gadgets, the chain earned $2.83 per share.
Net income rose 9% to $6.52 billion.
The firm’s same-store gross sales elevated 3.8% within the quarter, roughly in keeping with Wall Street consensus estimates of three.7%, based on StreetAccount.
In McDonald’s dwelling market, same-store gross sales elevated 3.9%, fueled by prospects spending extra once they visited.
While the fast-food large has leaned into worth to win over budget-conscious diners, it has additionally been attempting to enchantment to prospects via advertising and marketing and innovation, normally at a barely larger worth level. Tie-in meals with “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” and “KPop Demon Hunters” weren’t discounted. And its limited-time, supersized Big Arch burger, which launched in early March within the US, aimed to offer a premium burger possibility.
The firm’s worldwide operated markets section additionally reported same-store gross sales progress of three.9%. The division contains a few of McDonald’s largest markets, together with France, Germany and Australia.
McDonald’s worldwide developmental licensed markets section noticed same-store gross sales develop 3.4%. Japan was the division’s prime performer within the first quarter.