Adult Happy Meals, McRib, feed McDonald's sales in Q4

[ificandream]

Source: Associated Press/DEE-ANN DURBIN

Adult Happy Meals and other limited-time promotions boosted traffic at McDonald’s restaurants during the fourth quarter despite higher prices. But the company warned that inflation __ particularly in Europe __ will continue to weigh on its operations this year.

Global same-store sales __ or sales at stores open at least a year __ rose 12.6% in the October-December period, the Chicago company said Tuesday. That beat Wall Street expectations for an 8.8% increase, according to analysts polled by FactSet.

U.S. same-store sales rose 10.3%. Sales soared in October after McDonald’s launched adult Happy Meals featuring limited-edition toys designed by the streetwear brand Cactus Plant Flea Market. Half of the toys for those meals were gone in the first four days of the promotion.

A “farewell tour” for the cult favorite McRib sandwich drew in more U.S. customers in November and World Cup promotions fueled double-digit increases in delivery sales in McDonald’s ten largest markets.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-corp-chicago-business-76db0744b64240b5c06149baabaa279a

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I used to work at McDonald's in the days when we had to weigh shakes and they had to be 11 oz. I got so good at it I could feel when it was the right weight. I remember a supervisor coming over to check on me and they were impressed the shakes were the right weight. I think it's all automated now, pretty much.

[cstanleytech]

1. I used to enjoy Mcdonalds until they changed the type of oil they used for their fries but

since then I have not been back there except once or twice and their fries frankly suck these days.

[truthisfreedom]

9. Up until about 1990 McDonald's used beef tallow

As their main fry oil. They switched to vegetable oil due to public pressure and lost market share due to the flavor change, then added natural beef flavor back to the fries in an attempt to improve them, resulting in lawsuits from vegetarians who felt misled. In their list of allergens they still list beef flavoring. As it turns out, both tallow and lard are healthier than vegetable oil. Go figure.

[cstanleytech]

14. Yes, I know that is why they suck these days but I still pine for the old ones.

[calguy]

2. Price gouging also contributed to their rising sales.

When a quarter pounder, fries, and medium coke started costing very near ten bucks in my area, I kissed McDonald's good bye and haven't patronized any fast food outlet since.
Not that I ate there very much, except when I was in a hurry and had to fill my belly. I now plan ahead to avoid getting ripped off by the high price of shitty food.

[miyazaki]

3. A large Big Mac combo in Tokyo right now is $5.38 American.

Your observation is spot on. A month ago in Socal, I paid about $9.50 for a Big Mac combo.
To be fair, the Yen is weak at the moment, but the disparity is ridiculous.

-Ya I get a Big Mac attack occasionally.

[jimfields33]

4. I can't believe how high the stock is. I bought in 1995 for 30 bucks A share.

It’s over 200 now. I had no idea. Hopefully it keeps rising and rising.

[Mr.Bill]

5. I haven't eaten at McDonald's for years.

Their prices got too high long before the pandemic as far as I'm concerned. On the rare occasion I eat fast food there are other place I prefer. Burger King has been mailing me coupons for years and I like their food better.

[SouthernDem4ever]

6. What comes in an adult happy meal?

Last edited Tue Jan 31, 2023, 09:13 PM - Edit history (1)

bedroom toys?

[Red Mountain]

7. I hereby nominate you for director of marketing......

[HappyCynic]

10. obviously...

the McRibbed

[SouthernDem4ever]

13. LOL

[OldBaldy1701E]

15. Bravo!

[GenThePerservering]

8. Where I am, McDonalds is one of the less popular fast food dumps

until they get in the McRibs - then suddenly there's a stampede. They must be good (I haven't eaten there in years).

People go more to the teriyaki and pho joints which are everywhere.

[AverageOldGuy]

11. The McRib . . .

. . . may be the most disgusting "food" item ever devised by the mind of man.

[newdayneeded]

16. Agreed

[newdayneeded]

17. They got rid of the only

item you could even call healthy. the chicken grilled snack wrap. loved those things!

[FakeNoose]

12. My gripe with McDonald's (and most fast food places) is they force you to buy large portions

I don't go to McDonald's very often because when I do, I can't get a small order of fries, or a small soft drink. It's really hard to order a single hamburger or cheeseburger. They want you to spend $10.00 and walk away with a huge double or triple meal. I can't eat that much and I don't want to spend that much money.

So the Adult Happy Meals - I get it! You can actually order small portions and the cost is $5.00 or even less. Awesome move McDonald's - I may come back again, just for the Adult Happy Meal.

[EarthFirst]

18. We eat at fast food establishments maybe two or three times a year...

…never been a big fan of it.

What shocked me was that for a meal at Burger King last week was the price!

I know inflation has hit prices especially hard; look at your grocery bill for a reminder…

…however a general combination meal was just north of $15!

Big profits across the board…

[twodogsbarking]

19. The Unhappy meal.