A revamp of McDonald’s iconic Big Mac burger and more aggressive drink promotions are helping the restaurant giant overcome a broader slump in the fast-food industry.
The chain posted a surprisingly strong gain in same-store sales last quarter, with the measure growing 4 percent globally. Analysts had estimated a 1.3 percent rise. Earnings also topped projections.
The results suggest that Chief Executive Officer Steve Easterbrook got a payoff from efforts to overhaul the company’s menu. He rolled out different sizes of the Big Mac and offered $1 and $2 drink deals, a bid to attract customers in a cutthroat U.S. restaurant environment. A switch to all-day breakfast in the U.S. in 2015 also continues to fuel sales.