McDonald’s value menu lifting sales

NEW YORK — Cheap soda and burgers brought more people into McDonald’s.

The fast-food company said Tuesday that sales in the U.S. rose 4.1 per cent at existing locations during the third quarter, thanks to $1 soft drinks, coupons on its app and a two-for-$5 promotion called McPick 2. And with more people coming in, McDonald’s said some also bought pricier burgers stuffed with crispy onions, kale or guacamole, which helped sales.

“We are serving more customers, more often,” said CEO Steve Easterbrook.

McDonald’s has been offering deals to fight off competition from other low-priced chains. It plans to offer more cheap eats next year, with items priced at $1, $2 and $3, the company said.

Bill Fahy, an analyst at Moody’s, said the boost in sales is “a good indication that the company’s various initiatives are resonating well with consumers.”

Besides discounts, McDonald’s has also been tinkering with its menu as more people shun processed foods. It removed artificial preservatives from its nuggets and it plans to use fresh beef in Quarter Pounder burgers next year. And it has been modernizing its restaurants by adding mobile ordering and offering delivery through the UberEats app. About 5,000 of its nearly 14,000 U.S. locations will have delivery by the end of the year.

The company’s McCafe drinks also performed well. It rolled out espresso drinks, such as cappuccino and caramel macchiato.