Gourmet burgers and global sales lead results of McDonald's overcome estimates

McDonald's released this Monday (30) first-quarter results that surpassed analysts ' estimates, helped by strength in overseas markets and by the consumers in the United States for more expensive burgers. The largest network in the world by revenue rose almost 5 percent on the New York Stock Exchange, after global sales by the same concept shops exceed Wall Street forecasts, increasing the profit. A multiple-year recovery plan, launched by Chief Executive Steve Easterbrook for three years, brought changes to the menu, new technologies for shops and restaurants renewal to generate more traffic. The "gourmet" burgers of high margin, offering fresh ingredients and more expensive, costing $ $6 or $ $7, compared to cheaper options, network from $ $1 to $ $3, raised the average value of consumer spending in the United States. Sales in McDonald's restaurants in the United States rose 2.9 percent, surpassing analysts ' expectations of 2.7%. Global sales in stores open at least 13 months climbed 5.5 percent, easily surpassing the estimated average of 3.94%, and reflecting an increase of 7.8% more mature international markets of the company-Australia, Canada, France, Germany and United Kingdom. "(This) shows the power of the brand ... overall the numbers were excellent," said Peter Saleh, an analyst at BTIG brokerage. "The results were very impressive, actually more impressive than we expected initially." Excluding items, the company earned $ $1.79 per share, beating the estimate of $ $1.67. Overall revenue fell 9% as a result of refranchising-a cost-cutting measure in which the company sells the establishments owned by McDonald's for an investor franchisee and receives only a portion of the sales. The way the result was obtained in the last quarter, when different McDonald's and other fast food networks focused on fighting each other with menus in the amount of US dollar $1, discounts on drinks and limited-time menu items as gast the consumers have slowed down. Net income rose to $ $1.38 billion, or $ $1.72 per share, compared to $ $1.21 billion, or $ $1.47 per share, a year earlier.