McDonald’s
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McDonald’s (MCD) investor relations material

McDonald’s Q1 2026 earnings summary

Complete event summary combining all related documents: earnings call transcript, report, and slide presentation.
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Q1 2026 earnings summary7 May, 2026

Executive summary

  • Global system-wide sales grew 11% (6% in constant currency) to over $34 billion, with global comparable sales up 3.8% year-over-year, driven by growth across all segments and market share gains in nearly all top 10 markets.

  • Strategic focus on value, marketing, and menu innovation—"three-for-three execution"—continues to drive performance, with notable success in Australia, the U.K., Germany, and Japan.

  • Loyalty program sales exceeded $9 billion for the quarter and $38 billion for the trailing twelve months across 70 markets.

  • Value leadership reinforced through new U.S. McValue menu (items under $3) and $4 breakfast meal deal, mirroring successful international approaches.

  • Marketing campaigns, including partnerships with Netflix and major film releases, and menu innovation (notably in beverages), contributed to customer engagement and traffic.

Financial highlights

  • Consolidated revenues grew 9% year-over-year to $6.52 billion, with operating income up 12% to $2.95 billion; net income rose 6% to $1.98 billion.

  • Adjusted EPS reached $2.83, including a $0.13 benefit from foreign currency translation; diluted EPS was $2.78, up 7% year-over-year.

  • Restaurant margins exceeded $3.6 billion, with an adjusted operating margin of 46%.

  • U.S. comparable sales grew 3.9% year-over-year, with positive guest count gaps and maintained market share.

  • International Operated Markets and International Developmental Licensed Markets delivered comparable sales growth of 3.9% and 3.4%, respectively.

Outlook and guidance

  • Full-year 2026 financial targets reaffirmed, with net restaurant unit expansion expected to contribute ~2.5% to Systemwide sales growth and capital expenditures forecasted between $3.7 and $3.9 billion for ~2,600 new restaurants.

  • 2026 operating margin projected in the mid-to-high 40% range; SG&A expenses expected at about 2.2% of Systemwide sales.

  • Effective income tax rate for 2026 expected between 21% and 23%.

  • Q2 expected to see a meaningful deceleration in comp sales due to a tough comparison with last year’s Minecraft promotion, but underlying momentum remains strong.

  • Continued focus on value, menu innovation, and marketing, with new beverage launches and FIFA partnership anticipated to drive performance.

US traffic trends amid positive check growth
Loyalty sales contribution to systemwide growth
Accelerating the Organization initiative status
Plan to address unacceptable U.S. store margins
Growth expectations for the new beverage platform
Strategy to close the market share gap in chicken
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