Inflation-burdened diners, price increases help fuel strong Q4 for McDonald's

Cars in drive-thru line at McDonald's.
(Image credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

McDonald's saw increased sales in Q4 of last year, the fast food chain reported Tuesday, beating Wall Street's estimates even as inflation continues to plague U.S. consumers.

The company reported sales of $5.93 billion in its fourth quarter, or $2.59 per share, versus analysts' expectations of $5.68 billion, or $2.45 per share, per The Wall Street Journal. Global same-store sales for the period were also up 12.6 percent from a year earlier. Menu price increases and promotions — such as the Cactus Plant Flea Market Box (or the "adult Happy Meal," as some consumers described it) and the limited-time McRib promotion — helped drive the profit boost, the chain said.

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Brigid Kennedy

Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.