McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD)
announced global Systemwide sales for the first five months of 2001 increased to $16.4 billion.
Systemwide sales for both the first five months of the year and the first two months of the second
quarter were up 6 percent on a constant currency basis*, or 2 percent on a reported basis,
compared with the same periods of 2000.
The company anticipates that earnings per share for the second quarter 2001 will be 36-37 cents
in constant currencies or 34-35 cents on a reported basis.
Jack M. Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “While our expected
constant currency earnings performance reflects improvement from the first quarter, we were
striving for stronger results. However, the effect of consumer concerns regarding the European
beef supply is persisting longer than we anticipated, and our business growth in other geographic
areas is not expected to be enough to offset this effect. Further, increasing costs, weak
economies and difficult comparisons caused by strong marketing promotions in 2000 are
impacting results.
“Looking toward the second half of the year, we expect significant improvement in our business,
with constant currency earnings per share growth in mid-single digits. Such performance would
result in relatively flat earnings per share on a constant currency basis for the full year, compared
with 2000. While we cannot predict currency fluctuations, if foreign currency exchange rates
remain constant for the remainder of the year, translation will reduce full-year reported earnings
per share by about 6 cents.
“We believe the challenges we are facing are short term and that we are taking the right steps to
deal with them. These actions include:
* Focusing on building comparable sales through operations,
effective marketing and menu development
* Maintaining an intense focus on controlling operating and
general and administrative costs
* In Europe, accelerating menu variety, promoting value and
proactively communicating to customers McDonald’s food
quality specifications and strict safety standards
* Emphasizing food in our U.S. marketing and working to
strengthen quality, service, cleanliness and value in our
restaurants
* Reducing 2001 capital expenditures in certain emerging
markets in Latin America and Asia, where significant
economic downturns are not rebounding as quickly as
expected
Greenberg added, “Despite this year’s challenges, McDonald’s is a strong company with tremendous prospects. We have a great
brand, a broad and growing customer base and the leading market share in virtually every market in which we do business. We
believe our infrastructure, management capability and global reach are significant levers for growth. People around the world continue
to eat out more often, and McDonald’s continues to figure prominently in their choices. To capture more of these meal occasions we
plan to add about 1,500 McDonald’s restaurants in 2001, as well as add restaurants under our Partner Brands. We are confident in
our ability to generate constant currency double-digit earnings and cash flow growth long-term.”
In Europe, constant currency sales grew 2 percent for the first five months of the year and 3 percent for the first two months of the
second quarter 2001. Sales in the U.S. grew 3 percent in the first five months and 2 percent quarter-to-date through May. Constant
currency sales in Asia/Pacific were up 7 percent in the first five months and 10 percent during the first two months of the quarter. In
Latin America, constant currency sales increased 9 percent for the first five months and 7 percent quarter-to- date through May. Sales
in the Other segment increased 40 percent in constant currencies for the first five months and 37 percent quarter-to-date through May,
primarily due to the addition of Boston Market in May 2000.
In conjunction with its second quarter 2001 update, McDonald’s Corporation will webcast its investor conference call over the Internet
on Friday, June 15, at 12:00 Noon, Central Time. Interested parties are invited to listen by logging on to:
http://www.mcdonalds.com/corporate/investor and clicking on “Investor Webcasts” under “Latest News.”
