McDonald's Q1 Revenue Rises 9% YoY to $6.52B
McDonald's reported Q1 2026 revenue of $6.517 billion, up 9% year-over-year. Global comparable sales grew 3.8%, while EPS came in at $2.78, a 7% increase from the prior-year period.
- McDonald's Q1 2026 revenue grew 9% YoY to $6.52B, with EPS up 7% to $2.78
- Value menu and the new Big Arch burger drove results; shares slipped 0.38% to $284.10
McDonald's reported Q1 2026 revenue of $6.517 billion, up 9% year-over-year, according to an SEC 8-K filing.
📊 Price at Time of Publication (May 7, 2026, 9:00 PM KST)
$284.10 ▼ -0.38%
Approx. ₩412,229 (rate: 1451)
Earnings Snapshot
Global comparable sales grew 3.8%, with broad-based growth across the U.S., Europe, and other key markets. Analysts attribute the performance to McDonald's value menu strategy and loyalty program driving consistent customer traffic.
- Revenue: $6.517B, +9% YoY
- EPS (GAAP): $2.78 vs. $2.60 in the prior-year period, +7% YoY / Adjusted EPS (excluding one-time items): $2.83
- Operating Income (GAAP): $2.953B, +12% YoY
- Net Income: $1.983B, +6% YoY
- Global Systemwide Sales: Over $34.0B, +11% YoY
- Systemwide Sales to Loyalty Members (trailing 12 months): Over $38.0B
Market Reaction
As of the announcement date — May 7, 2026, 9:00 PM KST — shares traded at $284.10, down 0.38% from the prior close. QZ.com reported that the value menu and the new Big Arch burger drove the results. The Wall Street Journal noted that the value-focused strategy translated into strong top-line performance. MSN reported that while overall results beat market expectations, the International Developmental Licensed Markets segment (Middle East, parts of Asia) fell short of estimates.
Segment Breakdown
- U.S.: Comparable sales +3.9% / Reversed a -3.6% decline in the prior-year period; driven by higher average check
- International Operated Markets (IOM): Comparable sales +3.9% / Growth led by the U.K., Germany, and Australia
- International Developmental Licensed Markets (IDL): Comparable sales +3.4% / Japan led gains; all regions posted positive growth
CEO Chris Kempczinski said, "McDonald's delivered results this quarter. Our competitive edge comes from staying committed to three pillars: value leadership, marketing, and menu innovation."
Note that Q1 results included a one-time restructuring charge of $47 million. Excluding this item, adjusted operating income grew 11% year-over-year.
This article was auto-generated based on the SEC 8-K filing and media reports, with the goal of delivering key data points promptly after the announcement. Readers are encouraged to review the company's official filings before making any investment decisions. Prices reflect the time of publication and may differ from current market levels.
MCDFrequently Asked Questions
What was McDonald's Q1 2026 revenue?
McDonald's reported Q1 2026 revenue of $6.517 billion, up 9% year-over-year.
What does 'comparable sales growth of 3.8%' mean?
Comparable sales — also called same-store sales — measure revenue growth from restaurants open for at least 13 months, excluding newly opened locations. It shows how well existing stores are performing on their own, without the boost of new openings.
Which EPS figure is correct — $2.78 or $2.83?
Both are official figures. The $2.78 GAAP EPS includes all costs as reported under standard accounting rules. The $2.83 adjusted EPS excludes one-time items such as restructuring charges. McDonald's disclosed both numbers.
Why does the $38B loyalty sales figure differ from total revenue?
The $38B+ represents the total amount spent by McDonald's loyalty program members (via the app, etc.) over the trailing 12 months, aggregated across both company-operated and franchised locations. This is a systemwide gross sales metric and is calculated differently from McDonald's recognized revenue, which includes only royalties and fees from franchisees plus direct sales from company-owned restaurants.
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