McDonald's Reports Strong Finish for 2011

Oak Brook, Ill.-based McDonald's Corp. reports global comparable sales grew 7.5 percent for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011, with the U.S. up 7.1 percent, Europe up 7.3 percent and Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) up 6.9 percent.

Other fourth quarter highlights include:
• Consolidated revenues grew 10 percent
• Consolidated operating income increase of 14 percent, with the U.S. up 15 percent, Europe up 10 percent and APMEA up 22 percent

2001 year-end results:
• Global comparable sales were up 5.6 percent, with positive comparable sales across all geographic segments for every quarter
• Consolidated revenues up 12 percent (8 percent in constant currencies) to a record-high of $27 billion
• Consolidated operating income increase of 14 percent (10 percent in constant currencies) with the U.S. up 6 percent, Europe up 15 percent and APMEA up 27 percent

“During 2011, McDonald's continued momentum drove higher profitability and market share gains as we fortified our leadership position around the world,” says McDonald's ceo Jim Skinner. “The ongoing strength of McDonald's results is rooted in our Plan to Win with a relentless focus on what matters most to our customers. We are enhancing the customer experience – from our menu and service to our value and convenience – while giving more people more reasons to visit McDonald's more often.”

In 2012, McDonald’s plans to invest about $2.9 billion of capital – roughly half dedicated to opening more than 1300 new McDonald's restaurants and the other half allocated to investing in existing locations, including the reimaging of over 2400 restaurants, Skinner says.