McDonald's profits were down in the first three months of the year, with the world's largest fast food chain struggling to boost sales after a problematic 2013. The accounts have been lower than estimates: the strategy of the managing director Don Thompson is not bearing the hoped-for results, despite attempts to strengthen the menu offer.
The company reported profits of $1,2 billion, $1,21 per share, compared with $1,27 billion, $1,26 per share, in the same period last year. Revenue rose to $6,7 billion, but analysts expected profits of $1,24 per share on revenue of $6,73 billion. It should be noted that sales in restaurants that have been open for at least a year grew globally by 0,5%, thanks to the increase in average spending per customer, but the figure in the United States was down by 1,7% . Thompson expects comparative sales "to be modestly positive" in April.
