business
Visits to U.S. McDonald's Restaurants Fall in Third Quarter Amid Cost-of-Living Strain
Visits to U.S. McDonald's restaurants fell in the third quarter as cost-of-living pressure weighed on customers.
Key points
- U.S. same-store sales fell 0.2% in the July-September period, less than the 0.5% drop Wall Street had expected.
- Foot traffic across the U.S. fast food sector fell 2.6% in the third quarter, according to Revenue Management Solutions.
- Globally, McDonald's same-store sales rose 1.3%, with strong sales in Germany and Australia offsetting weakness in France.
Why it matters. The results show how challenging the economic environment has become for U.S. fast food companies, as customers struggle with higher gas prices and cost of living.
McDonald's said Wednesday that U.S. same-store sales fell 0.2% in July-September, better than the 0.5% drop Wall Street expected. It was the chain's first retreat since early 2025, though in-app deals and value-focused marketing pushed September sales into positive territory. Across the U.S. fast food sector, third-quarter foot traffic fell 2.6%, according to consultant Revenue Management Solutions.
Latest updates
Visits to U.S. McDonald's Restaurants Fall in Third Quarter Amid Cost-of-Living Strain
Traffic at U.S. McDonald's restaurants fell during the third quarter, according to an Associated Press report. Customers cited higher gas prices and a high overall cost of living. The decline is a sign of consumer strain at one of the largest fast-food chains in the country. The report did not single out a specific figure in the excerpt available. Further quarterly results will show whether the trend continues.