McDonald’s serves up more weak monthly sales numbers

By John KellContributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
John KellContributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence

    John Kell is a contributing writer for Fortune and author of Fortune’s CIO Intelligence newsletter.

    McDonald's Profit Rises 12%, Spurred by Sales Of Frozen Drinks
    A McDonald's Big Mac value meal a arranged for a photo in New York, U.S., on Friday, July 23, 2010. McDonald's Corp., the world's largest restaurant chain, posted a 12 percent gain in second- quarter profit after attracting more customers with its frappes and smoothies. Photographer: Jin Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images
    Photograph by Jin Lee — Bloomberg via Getty Images

    McDonald’s has reported declining comparable-store sales across all regions the fast-food chain serves, with a bruising drop reported in the U.S. that signals efforts to regain traction in that market haven’t yet materialized.

    The fast-food operator reported a sharp 4.6% drop in comparable sales in the U.S. in November, which the company blamed on “strong competitive activity. Analysts had only expected a 1.9% drop in that region, according to a survey conducted by Consensus Metrix. McDonald’s (MCD) also reported a 2% drop in Europe and a 4% decline in the Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Both of those declines were also worse than Wall Street had feared.

    Globally, comparable sales decreased 2.2% last month. As Fortune reported earlier this year, analysts have predicted that 2014 will be the first year of negative global same-store sales since 2002. McDonald’s, which plans to turn things around in the U.S. by simplifying its menu and revamping its marketing approach., has reported falling same-store sales for four consecutive quarters in its home market.

    Fast-food chains such as McDonald’s are facing pressure in the U.S. and other mature markets as consumers are spending more of their money at fast-casual chains, such as Chipotle (CMG) and Panera (PNRA). The rival chains offer menus that consumers perceive to be healthier, as well as fairly quick service that doesn’t require a server. The industry is also challenged by the fact that low-income consumers in the U.S., a group that spends more at fast-food chains, are still facing weak wage growth and poor job prospects.