McDonald’s Has All-Day Breakfast To Thank For Beating Earnings Expectations

Image courtesy of McDonald's

McDonald’s is probably patting itself on the back right about now: the Golden Arches managed to beat earnings expectations and also achieved solid growth in same-restaurant sales for the most recent quarter. The company says the boost is due in part to its all-day breakfast menu, “McPick” promotions, and its recently revamped chicken nuggets.

The company reported a 1.3% uptick in sales at established U.S. restaurants, just barely exceeding analysts’ expectations of 1.2% growth, The Wall Street Journal notes. International sales were up as well, growing by 3.3%, outstripping projected growth of 1.8%.

McDonald’s says those U.S. numbers were “supported by All Day Breakfast, everyday value under the McPick 2 platform and the introduction of Chicken McNuggets with no artificial preservatives.” In September, the chain introduced an expanded all-day breakfast menu nationwide.

Chief Executive Steve Easterbrook has been working to simplify McDonald’s menu and to offer more transparency about how its food is made. And despite the success of all-day breakfast, Easterbrook emphasized that the company remains “committed to driving long-term, profitable results while pursuing our goal of being recognized by our customers as a modern, progressive burger company.” As in, not a breakfast company.

“We are putting the customer at the center of everything we do and are directing our resources towards those innovations and investments that will strengthen our ability to deliver a better McDonald’s experience over time,” he said in a statement.

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