New menu items boost Mcdonald’s sales

McDonald’s Corp., the world’s largest restaurant chain, said sales at stores open at least 13 months rose 0.5 percent in October as new items spurred sales in Europe and the U.S.

Analysts estimated a 0.2 percent increase, the average of 10 estimates according to Consensus Metrix. Growth in Europe was 0.8 percent, Oak Brook, Ill.-based McDonald’s said in a statement Friday, exceeding analysts’ projected 0.2 percent gain.

Chief Executive Officer Don Thompson has been overhauling McDonald’s menu worldwide. In Europe, where the company gets about 40 percent of its revenue, McDonald’s has advertised new and value items, such as different smoothie and McCafe coffee drink flavors in the U.K. At its domestic locations, McDonald’s also is promoting new fare, including chicken wings and pumpkin-spice lattes.

“They’ve added some more premium-type products,” said Darren Tristano, executive vice president at restaurant researcher Technomic Inc. in Chicago. “And when you compare them to other fast-food restaurants, that I think is going to help them lift their brand.”

McDonald’s shares fell 0.3 percent to $96.89 at 9:42 a.m. in New York.

Same-store sales rose 0.2 percent last month in the U.S. Analysts projected a 0.4 percent gain, on average.