McDonald’s sales have plunged because of coronavirus
CNNNew York CNN Business — McDonald’s was enjoying a great start to 2020 but that all changed once the Covid-19 pandemic hit Europe and the United States. US sales held up better while European sales plunged McDonald’s said that 75% of its restaurants worldwide are operating but that France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom have fully closed all restaurants. Before March, McDonald’s said that US comparable sales at restaurants open at least a year were up 8% during the first quarter while international sales rose more than 7%. McDonald’s is continuing to receive a steady stream of food, packaging, toys for Happy Meals and other equipment and that it is “working closely with suppliers on contingency planning.” Kempczinski also acknowledged that the coronavirus outbreak was hitting McDonald’s small business franchisee owners particularly hard and he vowed to help support these partners. Stifel analyst Chris O’Cull noted in a report Wednesday that the company paid $3.6 billion in dividends last year and that “politically, it may be difficult for McDonald’s to continue to pay a hefty dividend, while its franchisees accept federal government financial support.” Shares of McDonald’s rose slightly on Wednesday – lagging the gains of the broader market.