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McDonald's reported a decline in US comparable sales for the third quarter of 2026, as cost-conscious customers continued to cut back on restaurant visits. However, higher average spending per order helped soften the impact, highlighting how the fast-food chain is managing weaker customer traffic amid persistent cost-of-living pressures.
McDonald's US comparable sales fell 0.2% during the quarter ended September 30, marking the company's first quarterly decline in six quarters. The result reflected fewer customer visits, which were largely offset by an increase in average spending per transaction.
According to data from Placer.ai cited by Reuters, visits to McDonald's US restaurants dropped 4.6% year over year during the three-month period. The trend indicates that financially stretched consumers are becoming more selective about eating out.
McDonald's has introduced several affordability-focused promotions to attract customers, including an under-USD 3 menu and a USD 4 breakfast deal. However, these offers have not been enough to bring restaurant traffic back to previous levels.
The company said its US sales performance improved as the quarter progressed following the introduction of value initiatives. October promotions also provided some support, although customer visits remained below year-ago levels.
CEO Chris Kempczinski said the company was encouraged by the improvement and remained focused on strengthening its value proposition.
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Despite weakness in the US, McDonald's recorded global comparable sales growth of 1.5% during the third quarter. International operated markets reported a 1.4% increase, while international developmental licensed markets grew 4.2%.
The firm recorded revenues of USD 7.16 billion, an increase of 1% from the previous year. This was below analysts' forecast of roughly USD 7.28 billion. The adjusted earnings were at USD 3.57 per share, higher than expectations of approximately USD 3.40. Net income increased by 9% to USD 2.49 billion.
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The most recent data points to the challenges facing the US operations of McDonald’s as their customers try to manage increased daily costs. Although increasing order size has been beneficial in protecting their sales, falling customer flow is also an issue. The firm is likely to stick with its policy of cheap meals and promotions in future quarters.