McDonald’s U.S. comparable sales fell 0.2% in Q3 2026

McDonald’s U.S. comparable sales fell 0.2% in the third quarter of 2026, compared with 2.4% growth a year earlier. Global comparable sales rose 1.5%, down from 3.6% growth in the same quarter of 2025.

The company reported results Nov. 4 for the quarter ended Sept. 30. Comparable sales cover restaurants operating for at least 13 months, including franchised and company-operated locations. They are not total U.S. sales, consolidated revenue or a direct count of customers.

U.S. comparable sales turned negative as international growth slowed i

The U.S. growth rate fell 2.6 percentage points from a year earlier. That was a smaller slowdown than the 2.9-point change in International Operated Markets, but larger than the 0.5-point change in International Developmental Licensed Markets. Both international segments still recorded comparable-sales growth, so the global increase does not mean every market had the same result.

Does the U.S. decline mean customer visits fell by 0.2%? No. McDonald’s said negative comparable guest counts were largely offset by positive check growth. The comparable-sales figure reflects sales at eligible restaurants, not a direct measure of visits or the performance of every restaurant.

Revenue and earnings increased i

Global systemwide sales rose 4% to more than $38 billion. That is a different measure from consolidated revenue, which increased 1% to $7.157 billion from $7.078 billion in the year-earlier quarter. Net income rose 9% to $2.486 billion, from $2.278 billion.

GAAP diluted earnings per share increased 10% to $3.51 from $3.18. McDonald’s also reported adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.57, up 11% when prior-year charges were also excluded. The quarter included $56 million in pretax charges, primarily related to restructuring.

Chief Executive Chris Kempczinski said the company was encouraged by improving U.S. performance as the quarter progressed following its value actions. The company did not quantify that change month by month.

The Associated Press reported that McDonald’s planned to introduce new value-oriented meal bundles early in 2027. AP also attributed to Kempczinski that about 4,000 franchisees had launched bundles of their own and that an eight-week bundle test was underway at 1,900 U.S. restaurants. These reported plans and promotions do not establish that comparable sales have returned to growth.