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McDonald's Q1 2026 Revenue Hits $6.52B, Up 9% YoY

McDonald's reported Q1 2026 revenue of $6.517 billion, representing 9% year-over-year growth. Global same-store sales increased 3.8%, while diluted EPS grew 7% to $2.78 versus $2.60 in the prior year.

Justin Jeon·May 7, 2026 at 21:01·Updated May 7, 2026 at 22:30·4 min read

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AIKey Summary

McDonald's Q1 2026 revenue grew 9% to $6.517B with EPS up 7% to $2.78, driven by value menu strategy and new offerings
Stock dipped 0.38% to $284.10 as markets digested solid results and mixed international guidance

McDonald's reported Q1 2026 revenue of $6.517 billion, up 9% year-over-year, according to SEC 8-K filing.

📊 Stock Price at Time of Report (May 7, 2026, 21:00 KST)
$284.10 ▼ -0.38%
KRW 412,229 (1451 KRW/USD)

Q1 Highlights

Global same-store sales rose 3.8%, with balanced growth across major regions. Value menu strategy and loyalty program expansion drove customer traffic to restaurants.

Revenue: $6.517 billion, +9% YoY
Diluted EPS: $2.78, +7% vs. $2.60 prior year; adjusted EPS excluding one-time items: $2.83
Operating Income (GAAP): $2.953 billion, +12% YoY
Net Income: $1.983 billion, +6% YoY
Global systemwide revenue: $34+ billion, +11% YoY
Systemwide sales from loyalty program members (trailing 12 months): $38+ billion

Market Reaction

Stock closed at $284.10 (down 0.38%) on May 7, 2026. Quartz reported that value menu offerings and the new Big Arch Burger drove results. The Wall Street Journal highlighted the strength of the value-focused strategy. MSN noted overall results beat consensus expectations, though international developmental licensed markets (Middle East and select Asian regions) missed guidance.

Segment Performance

U.S.: Same-store sales +3.9%, rebounding from -3.6% in prior year; higher average check per customer drove growth
International Operated Markets: Same-store sales +3.9%, led by UK, Germany, and Australia
International Developmental Licensed Markets: Same-store sales +3.4%, led by Japan with positive growth across all regions

CEO Chris Kempczinski stated: "McDonald's delivered results this quarter. Our competitive advantage lies in maintaining three pillars: value leadership, marketing execution, and menu innovation."

Q1 results included $47 million in one-time restructuring charges. Excluding these items, adjusted operating income grew 11% year-over-year.

This article was auto-generated from SEC 8-K filings and international news reports for rapid dissemination of key earnings data. Investors are advised to consult the official company filing before making trading decisions. All prices reflect the time of publication and may differ from current levels.

MCD

Frequently Asked Questions

What was McDonald's Q1 2026 revenue?

Revenue totaled $6.517 billion, representing 9% year-over-year growth compared to Q1 2025.

What does 'same-store sales up 3.8%' mean?

Same-store sales exclude newly opened locations and measure only restaurants operating 13+ months. It shows organic growth in comparable units without the boost from new store openings.

Why are there two EPS figures: $2.78 and $2.83?

$2.78 is GAAP diluted EPS including all charges. $2.83 is adjusted EPS excluding one-time restructuring costs. Companies report both for transparency.

Why is loyalty program revenue ($38B) different from total revenue ($6.5B)?

The $38B figure represents cumulative sales from loyalty program members over the trailing 12 months, including all company-operated and franchised locations. It differs from McDonald's corporate revenue, which reflects only fees, royalties, and company-operated store sales.

Which regions drove the 3.8% same-store sales growth?

Growth was broad-based across U.S. (+3.9%), International Operated Markets (+3.9%, led by UK, Germany, Australia), and International Developmental Licensed Markets (+3.4%, led by Japan).

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Justin Jeon

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