McDonald’s U.S. Sales Fall 0.2% in Third Quarter

McDonald’s U.S. comparable sales fell 0.2% in the third quarter, the company’s first decline in six quarters, as restaurant visits weakened despite a push to attract customers with value offers. The results cover the quarter ended September 30, 2026. Chief Executive Chris Kempczinski said U.S. performance improved as the quarter progressed after the company’s value initiatives. McDonald’s said its marketing emphasized entry-level meal deals and extra-value offers, including discounted meals and promotions. Reports said same-store sales moved into positive territory in September, though the full-quarter result remained negative. The company’s global comparable-sales growth was reported as either 1.5% or 1.3% for the quarter. McDonald’s reported adjusted earnings of $3.57 per share, up from $3.22 a year earlier. Revenue rose 1% to $7.16 billion, while net income was reported at about $2.5 billion. Restaurant visits in the U.S. fell 4.6% year over year during the quarter, according to Placer.ai estimates cited in reporting. The estimate measures visits, not sales. A separate industry estimate from Revenue Management Solutions put U.S. fast-food-sector foot traffic down 2.6% over...