- U.S. up 0.4%
- Europe up 0.5%
- Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) down 12.6%
McDonald's begins 2015 on a path to regain business momentum globally. The Company's charge over the coming year is to accelerate the pace of change and elevate the overall McDonald's experience in the eyes of its customers. While the Company's January performance reflects current business challenges, McDonald's structure and competitive strengths will provide the capability to change the trajectory of the business over the long term.
In January, U.S. comparable sales increased 0.4% as positive breakfast daypart performance was largely offset by the impact of aggressive competitive activity. McDonald's U.S. is focused on delivering a simplified national menu alongside greater choice tailored to local consumer preferences - enabled by the segment's transition to a new organizational structure.
Europe's comparable sales increased 0.5% in January as positive performance in the U.K. and Germany was largely offset by negative results in France and Russia. While market dynamics remain challenging in the near term, McDonald's Europe is focused on driving sales and guest traffic by strengthening local value platforms, highlighting the quality of core and premium products and aggressively pursuing growth opportunities, particularly at breakfast.
In January, APMEA's comparable sales decreased 12.6% reflecting broad-based consumer perception issues in Japan, along with the lingering impact of the supplier issue and a shift in timing of Chinese New Year in China and other markets. Brand recovery continues to be a top priority throughout the segment, with emphasis on rebuilding customer trust by strengthening quality and affordability perceptions.
Strong comparable sales in McDonald's Other Countries & Corporate segment, which includes Latin America and Canada, contributed positively to the Company's global comparable sales performance for the month.
Systemwide sales for the month decreased 7.9%, or were relatively flat in constant currencies.
