McDonald’s Is Still Suffering, In The U.S. And Around The World
The fast food giant is still in a sales slump in the U.S., while international operations suffered from a weak European economy, Russian sanctions, and supplier problems in Asia.
Mike Blake / Reuters
McDonald’s reported grim earnings Friday morning, continuing a lengthy slump at the company.
“Our results declined as unforeseen events and weak operating performance pressured results in each of our geographic segments,” CEO Don Thompson said in a release.
McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson Adrees Latif / Reuters
Revenue fell 7% in the last three months of the year, partially thanks to foreign currencies weakening against the dollar.
But it wasn’t just a currency thing. Globally, same-store sales fell 1%, thanks to “negative guest traffic in all major segments.”
The profit numbers were even worse — earnings per share fell 19% and profit dropped to $1.01 billion from $1.4 billion a year ago. McDonald’s blamed “weak operating performance” in the U.S. and a “supplier issue” overseas.
AFP / Getty Images SAUL LOEB
In the U.S. specifically, same-store sales fell 1.7% and operating income fell 15%. McDonald’s said that in 2015, it will begin “evolving to a more nimble, customer-led organization” with a greater focus on “menu simplification and local customer tastes.”
Don / Via flic.kr
On a call with analysts, Thompson pointed to several countries where the Golden Arches are struggling, including Japan. Recently, plastic was found in Japanese McNuggets. Thompson said “consumer perception” issues hurt the brand.
Issei Kato / Reuters
The “supplier issue” in Asia hammered the company’s earnings, costing them $110 million, about 9 cents a share, to win back customers in China, Japan, and Hong Kong, which account for 10% of the company’s sales. Japan sales have declined over 20%.
Issei Kato / Reuters
Thompson also mentioned McDonald’s struggles in Russia and Ukraine. In response to U.S. sanctions on Russian individuals and sanctions, Russia has started investigating and even closing several McDonald’s restaurants.
McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson and executives visit with McDonald’s Olympic Champion Crew at the McDonald’s restaurant in the Athletes Village ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics on Feb. 6, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. Getty Images for McDonald’s Marianna Massey
McDonald’s stock is down about 5% in the last year, but only down slightly today.
Google Finance
“We’re making progress as we move closer to our customers and as we change to be more relevant and progressive. Modern service, genuine hospitality, personal engagement, more vanity customized menus and a brand that people can truly trust,” Thompson said.
Read more: http://www.buzzfeed.com/matthewzeitlin/mcdonalds-is-still-suffering
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