McDonald's Corp. said on Thursday same-store sales--a key gauge of a retailer's performance--rose 4.9 percent in January on growing demand in Europe.

McDonald's same-store sales jumped 6.8 percent in Europe on robust sales in France and Russia, compared to a 0.5 percent decline in the same month last year. Meanwhile, U.S. same-store sales increased 3.6 percent--slower growth versus a year ago, when same-store sales rose 9.7 percent.

The company's Asia, Middle East, and Africa restaurants posted a 4.3 percent rise in same-store sales.

Same-store sales are a measure of sales at stores open at least one year.

Total sales systemwide increased 8.3 percent or 6.1 percent in constant currencies.