McDonald's stock up 4.5% for the year 2008

Restaurateurs were hit with a double whammy of increased costs and dropping sales in 2008. But looking back at the carnage, there are a few bright spots. Although the restaurant sector dropped by 20%, it still beat the S&P’s 38% loss. In fact, there is one restaurant that advanced in 2008.

Fast food icon McDonald’s closed up 4.5% for the year 2008. In fact, McDonald's and Walmart are the only two stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average to close up for the year.

As for the other major QSR chains: Wendy’s, Yum! Brands and Burger King have all risen by over 30% over the past few months.