McDonald's reported first-quarter 2026 earnings and revenue that exceeded Wall Street expectations, driven by increased spending at its U.S. restaurants despite what CEO Chris Kempczinski described as 'a challenging environment' [1]. The company posted adjusted earnings per share of $2.83, surpassing the expected $2.74, and revenue of $6.52 billion, ahead of the anticipated $6.47 billion [1]. Net income for the quarter was $1.98 billion, or $2.78 per share, compared to $1.87 billion, or $2.60 per share, a year earlier. Excluding restructuring charges and other items, the chain earned $2.83 per share, and net revenue rose 9% to $6.52 billion [1].
Same-store sales increased 3.8% globally, closely matching Wall Street consensus estimates of 3.7% according to StreetAccount [1]. In the U.S., same-store sales grew by 3.9%, fueled by higher customer spending per visit. McDonald's has focused on value offerings to attract budget-conscious diners while also introducing premium options, such as the limited-time, supersized Big Arch burger launched in early March, and tie-in meals with 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' and 'KPop Demon Hunters,' which were not discounted [1].
Internationally, the company's operated markets segment, which includes France, Germany, and Australia, also saw same-store sales growth of 3.9%. The international developmental licensed markets segment reported a 3.4% increase in same-store sales, with Japan being the top performer in the first quarter [1].
Shares of McDonald's rose more than 3% in premarket trading following the earnings announcement, indicating a positive market reaction to the results [1]. CEO Chris Kempczinski emphasized the company's strong performance despite ongoing challenges in the operating environment [1].
CONCLUSION
McDonald's delivered a strong first-quarter performance in 2026, beating both earnings and revenue estimates and achieving solid same-store sales growth across all segments. The market responded positively, with shares rising over 3% in premarket trading. The results highlight McDonald's resilience and ability to drive growth even in a challenging environment.