McDonald’s, the world’s largest restaurant chain, reports operating profits up by 14% for the first quarter compared with the same period in 2016. A stronger-than-expected first quarter performance from the fast-food chain also boosted share prices in the company.
McDonald’s is the largest purchaser of Irish beef, buying approximately 40,000t per annum and much of the company’s first-quarter improvements have been accredited to the improved performance of its famous Big Mac burger. During the quarter, McDonald’s rolled out three different sizes of its classic Big Mac for the first time, as well as introducing a Big Mac and beverage value promotion.
China is McDonald’s strongest growing market, contributing the largest amount of its 3.8% sales increase in its high-growth segment. The company feeds 69m people worldwide every day.
The positive results will provide a much-needed boost to the chain’s March announcement in which it outlined plans for winning back the more than 500 million customers it lost since 2012.