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New York (CNN) — McDonald’s sales dropped in the beginning of the year, marking the second consecutive quarter of declines as customers pull back their spending amid economic uncertainty.
In the United States, its largest market, same-store sales dropped 3.6% — the chain’s worst drop since 2020 during the height of the Covid pandemic when people were told to stay home.
Net income for the first quarter was $1.87 billion, a decline from $1.93 billion compared to the same period a year ago. However, McDonald’s notes that since last year had a Leap Day, or an extra day to make money, that slightly hurt its sales in 2025.
McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said in a release that consumers are “grappling with uncertainty,” but that he remains optimistic in the company’s “ability to navigate even the toughest of market conditions and gain market share.”
On a call with analysts, Kempczinski said “geopolitical tensions added to the economic uncertainty and dampened consumer sentiment more than we expected.” Visits to restaurants in its largest markets, including the US, fell more than predicted.
Although he expects McDonald’s to “outperform” its competitors, the chain isn’t “immune to the volatility in the industry or the pressures that our consumers are facing.”
In the United States, its largest market, same-store sales dropped 3.6% — the chain’s worst drop since 2020 during the height of the Covid pandemic when people were told to stay home.
Net income for the first quarter was $1.87 billion, a decline from $1.93 billion compared to the same period a year ago. However, McDonald’s notes that since last year had a Leap Day, or an extra day to make money, that slightly hurt its sales in 2025.
McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said in a release that consumers are “grappling with uncertainty,” but that he remains optimistic in the company’s “ability to navigate even the toughest of market conditions and gain market share.”
On a call with analysts, Kempczinski said “geopolitical tensions added to the economic uncertainty and dampened consumer sentiment more than we expected.” Visits to restaurants in its largest markets, including the US, fell more than predicted.
Although he expects McDonald’s to “outperform” its competitors, the chain isn’t “immune to the volatility in the industry or the pressures that our consumers are facing.”
