McDonald’s Q3 2026 earnings show same-store sales up 1.5% globally, down 0.2% in US By Luís Henrique Costa
2 min read
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McDonald’s sales growth slowed in the third quarter of 2026, according to results released on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Global same-store sales, which measure sales at restaurants open at least a year, rose 1.5% from a year earlier. That beat the 1.4% Wall Street expected but was far below the 3.6% gain recorded in the same quarter of 2025. In the United States, same-store sales fell 0.2%, a smaller drop than the 0.5% analysts had forecast, as high prices weighed on household budgets. Strong sales in Germany and Australia offset weakness in France, where protests that began in September hurt results.
Revenue reached nearly US$ 7.2 billion in the quarter, below the US$ 7.4 billion projected by the financial market. Adjusted earnings reached US$ 3.57 per share, above the US$ 3.40 estimate, and net income rose 9% to US$ 2.49 billion. Customer traffic fell, but a higher average ticket per visit offset part of the decline, and shares rose 2.32% to US$ 269.19 in New York premarket trading.
New low-price lineup for 2027 follows weaker US results
Skye Anderson, who has spent 26 years at McDonald’s, now leads McDonald’s USA, the company’s largest market. Her task is to rework the low-price promotional lineup. Franchisees and customers showed little interest in items priced under US$ 3.00, so the company is preparing a new value price list that takes effect in early 2027.
Chris Kempczinski, chairman and CEO of McDonald’s, said the measures adopted during the quarter produced positive responses. He said the company was “encouraged by improvement as the quarter progressed,” and pointed to a gradual recovery in the volume of products sold.
Energy drinks and coffee lead the holiday menu
Beverages were the brightest spot for the chain while customers cut back on traditional menu items. McDonald’s formalized a partnership with Red Bull to sell energy drinks in its restaurants. From November 3, 2026, a seasonal menu includes coffee with cookie butter flavor, cranberry-infused soda, and flavored versions of caffeinated drinks.
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The new front aims to bring more customers in as basic food costs climb for lower-income families. Before the results, BTIG analyst Peter Saleh said franchisee operators cited lower-income challenges and disappointing promotions as their top concerns.
Restaurant upgrades get US$ 8.5 billion through 2036
McDonald’s has committed US$ 8.5 billion through 2036 to modernize equipment and internal systems at franchised restaurants. The plan sets aside US$ 5 billion through 2030 for rent relief and capital for artificial intelligence tools in kitchens and order kiosks. It also brings back 1990s-style restaurant design in dining rooms and expands production of hand-breaded chicken to compete with rival chains.
