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Email this story [5]* Systemwide sales increased 6% for the quarter in constant currencies.
* Sales increased in all segments: 4% in the U.S. and, in constant currencies, 11% in Latin America, 4% in Asia/Pacific and 2% in Europe.
* Revenues increased 10% in constant currencies.
* Diluted net income per common share was 29 cents for the quarter, 30 cents in constant currencies.
SUMMARY COMMENTARY
Chairman and chief executive officer Jack M. Greenberg said, "McDonald's reported earnings per share of 29 cents for the quarter, or 30 cents in constant currencies. Given the extremely challenging circumstances we faced during the quarter, we were pleased to report a 6% increase in Systemwide sales and a 10% increase in revenues in constant currencies. Challenges included difficult comparisons due to strong marketing promotions last year in the U.S., Europe and Asia/Pacific, the extra day in 2000 due to leap year, consumer concerns regarding European beef in certain markets and weak economies in certain areas of the world.
"Yet, our recent business trends are encouraging. We are cautiously optimistic that results will continue to improve as more and more customers respond to our quality, value and variety messages and when weak economies strengthen. Based on our expectation for improved business trends, particularly in the second half of the year, we expect 2001 annual earnings per share growth in constant currencies to be within our previously stated 6% to 10% range. If exchange rates remain where they are today, 2001 reported annual earnings per share will be about 4 cents lower than constant currency earnings per share.
"In the U.S., expansion and positive comparable sales contributed to a Systemwide sales increase of 4%, on top of a 5% increase last year. We continued to emphasize food taste and variety with the successful national rollout of the Big N' Tasty Sandwich and our New Tastes Menu, which offers customers more choice and complements our core menu.
"In Europe, we are optimistic that lingering concerns about beef will continue to lessen as the year progresses. We continue to proactively educate our European customers about McDonald's high food safety and quality standards, which lead the industry and provide the benchmark for safe food around the world. We are also promoting menu variety and value and the results have been encouraging. In March, comparable sales trends improved in several key European markets. And in France, our beef sales as a percent of our total product sales have increased throughout the quarter.
"In Asia/Pacific, Systemwide sales increased 4% in constant currencies, driven by expansion. Tough comparisons with successful promotions in 2000 and weak economies in several markets negatively impacted the quarter. However, China continued to deliver strong results, and we are pleased that despite weakness in Japan's economy, we posted positive comparable sales there for the past two months.
"We remain confident in our business fundamentals and core growth opportunities. We will continue to focus on building comparable sales through effective marketing, operations and menu development around the world. And we expect to add approximately 1,500 to 1,600 McDonald's restaurants in 2001.
"As we have done with previous challenges in our history, we are intent on managing through this difficult set of short-term, external challenges and emerging stronger than ever. Our leading competitive position, globally recognized brand, experienced local management and worldwide infrastructure position us to benefit from the enduring needs and desires of people for great-tasting food, value, friendly interaction and convenience. I am confident that McDonald's can deliver solid earnings growth and outstanding returns far into the future.''
OPERATING RESULTS
The company operates in the food service industry and primarily operates quick-service restaurant businesses under the McDonald's brand. To capture additional meal occasions, the company also operates other restaurant concepts: Aroma Cafe, Boston Market, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Donatos Pizza. Collectively these four businesses are referred to as "Other Brands.''
Impact of Foreign Currencies on Reported Results
While changing foreign currencies affect reported results, McDonald's lessens exposures, where practical, by financing in local currencies, hedging certain foreign-denominated cash flows and by purchasing goods and services in local currencies.
Reported results for the quarter were negatively affected by foreign currency translation primarily due to the weaker Euro, British Pound, Australian Dollar and Japanese Yen.
Systemwide Sales and Revenues
Systemwide sales represent sales by Company-operated, franchised and affiliated restaurants. Total revenues include sales by Company-operated restaurants and fees from restaurants operated by franchisees and affiliates. These fees include rent, service fees and royalties that are based on a percent of sales, with specified minimum payments along with initial fees.
On a global basis, the increases in sales and revenues for the quarter were primarily due to restaurant expansion and the acquisition of Boston Market in the second quarter 2000. Foreign currency translation had a negative effect on the growth rates for both Systemwide sales and revenues for the quarter. On a constant currency basis, revenues increased at a higher rate than sales for the quarter, primarily due to the acquisition of Boston Market, which are all Company-operated restaurants, and an increase in the royalty percent received from our Japanese affiliate, effective January 1, 2001.
U.S. sales increased 4% for the quarter due to expansion and positive comparable sales, despite the extra day in 2000 due to leap year. The comparable sales increase was driven by the introduction of the New Tastes Menu, which offers customers more variety, the national rollout of the Big N' Tasty sandwich and local market initiatives.
In Europe, constant currency sales increased due to expansion and strong performance in the Netherlands and Russia, substantially offset by negative comparable sales. Comparable sales were affected by the decline in consumer confidence regarding the European beef supply in certain markets, as well as difficult comparisons with strong promotions last year. Sales trends are improving in several markets including France, which had positive comparable sales in March. We are optimistic that the impact from the concerns regarding European beef will continue to lessen as the year progresses.
Expansion, partly offset by negative comparable sales, drove the constant currency sales increase in Asia/Pacific. This segment continued to benefit from strong positive comparable sales in China. However, Asia/Pacific's comparable sales growth was negatively affected by a difficult comparison with last year's very successful Hello Kitty promotion in several markets and weak consumer spending in Australia, due to the goods and services tax introduced in July 2000. We expect comparable sales in Australia to improve in the second half of the year as we pass the anniversary of the introduction of the tax.
In Latin America, the constant currency sales increase was due to expansion, partly offset by negative comparable sales. Expansion and positive comparable sales in Mexico and Brazil were the primary contributors to the increase; however, weak consumer spending continued to negatively affect most markets in this segment.
In the Other segment, the constant currency sales increase was driven by the acquisition of Boston Market and positive comparable sales and expansion for Canada, Chipotle and Donatos.
Combined Operating Margins
The following combined operating margin information represents margins for McDonald's restaurant business only.
Combined operating margin dollars decreased by $13.0 million, or 1%, for the quarter, in constant currencies. The U.S. and Europe segments accounted for nearly 80% of the combined margin dollars for the quarter.
As a percent of sales, Company-operated margins decreased for the quarter. Food & paper costs as a percent of sales were flat, while payroll costs and occupancy & other operating expenses increased.
In the U.S., Company-operated margins for the quarter decreased as a percent of sales, primarily due to higher labor and energy costs, partly offset by lower food & paper costs. In Europe and Asia/Pacific, the Company- operated margin percent decreased primarily due to negative comparable sales and higher labor costs. In addition, Europe experienced higher food costs. Latin America's Company-operated margin percent was relatively flat.
Franchised margins as a percent of applicable revenues in the U.S. were relatively flat, while margin percents in Europe and Latin America declined, primarily due to negative comparable sales and temporary rent assistance provided to franchisees in certain markets. The franchised margin percent in Asia/Pacific increased primarily due to an increase in the royalty percent received from our Japanese affiliate.
Franchised margins as a percent of revenues in all segments were also negatively impacted by higher occupancy costs as a result of our strategy to lease more sites. By leasing a higher proportion of new sites, we have reduced initial capital requirements. However, as anticipated, this practice reduces franchised margins because the financing costs implicit in the lease are included in occupancy expense, whereas for owned sites, financing costs are reflected in interest expense.
Selling, General & Administrative Expenses
Selling, general & administrative expenses increased 5% for the quarter, primarily due to the acquisition of Boston Market and spending to support the development of Other Brands, partly offset by weaker foreign currencies. Excluding Other Brands, selling, general & administrative expenses increased 1% for the quarter.
Other Operating Income, net
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates decreased for the quarter primarily due to weaker results in Japan, the increase in Japan's royalty expense and a weaker Japanese Yen. Although the increase in royalty expense reduced McDonald's equity in earnings for Japan, it was more than offset by the royalty benefit McDonald's received in franchised revenues. The decrease in other expense for the quarter was primarily due to a gain on the sale of real estate in Singapore, partly offset by the write-off of certain technology costs.
Operating Income
Consolidated operating income for the quarter decreased $43.1 million, or 6%, in constant currencies. The constant currency decrease for the quarter was due to lower combined operating margin dollars and other operating income, and higher selling, general & administrative expenses incurred primarily in developing the Other Brands.
* Excluding the effect of foreign currency translation on reported results.
** Segment operating income has been restated for 2000 to break out corporate expenses from the other operating segments.
*** Includes operating losses for Other Brands of $14.9 million and $9.1 million for first quarter 2001 and 2000, respectively. n/a Not applicable
U.S. operating income increased $14.0 million, or 4%, for the quarter. The increase was driven by higher combined operating margin dollars and higher other operating income, partly offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses.
Europe's operating income decreased as the decline in consumer confidence regarding the safety of the European beef supply continued to negatively affect results.
Operating income in Asia/Pacific increased 8% in constant currencies. This segment benefited from a strong performance in China, an increase in the royalty percent received from Japan and a gain on the sale of real estate in Singapore.
Latin America's operating income decreased as strong results in Mexico were offset by lower franchised margins in countries continuing to experience difficult economic conditions.
In the Other segment, Canada's continued strong performance was offset by weak results in several markets in the Middle East & Africa and spending to support restaurant development in the Other Brands.
INTEREST, NONOPERATING EXPENSE AND INCOME TAXES
Higher interest expense for the quarter was primarily due to higher average debt levels, partly offset by weaker foreign currencies. The higher average debt levels were a result of the Company using its available credit capacity to repurchase shares of common stock. We expect the rate of increase in interest expense to moderate throughout the year.
Nonoperating expense increased for the quarter primarily due to the write-off of a financing receivable from a Latin American supplier and minority interest expense related to the sale of real estate in Singapore.
The effective income tax rate was 32.0% for the first quarter in both 2001 and 2000, and is expected to be about 32.0% for the year.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES
Weighted average shares outstanding for the quarter were lower compared with the prior year due to shares repurchased. In addition, outstanding stock options had a less dilutive effect than in the prior year. The Company repurchased $452 million or 14.4 million shares of its common stock in the first quarter.
FIRST QUARTER CONFERENCE CALL
In conjunction with its First Quarter earnings release, McDonald's Corporation will broadcast its conference call with members of management live over the Internet on Thursday, April 19, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. Interested parties are invited to listen by logging on to http://www.mcdonalds.com/corporate/investor and clicking "Investor Webcasts'' under "Latest News''.
