McDonald’s sales at restaurants open more than a year dropped in April, a month after the largest burger chain in the world said its sales dropped 1 percent in the first quarter. The company attributed the 0.6 percent fall to the fears of the avian flu that has resulted to dozens of deaths in China. Same-store sales in its Asia, Middle East and Africa unit were down 2.9 percent in April.
McDonald’s found it hard to be profitable as customers turn to healthy options. They demand for value-oriented meals and threatened to go to other competitors in the industry, such as Smashburger and Five Guys Burgers and Fries.
In Europe, which is McDonald’s largest market by sale, April numbers fell 2.4 percent. Sales in the United States increased 0.7 percent in April due to the strong performance of its breakfast meals and the new chicken McWraps product.
Wendy’s announced better results Wednesday. It said its revenue increased 1.8 percent to $603.7 million in the first quarter. Its same-store sales improved 1 percent. But its profits dropped 83 percent to $2.1 million compared to $12.4 million the previous year.
Wendy’s has more than 6,500 company and franchise restaurants across the globe. 200 of the branches hope to improve this year. The chain is also trying to change its menu to compete with McDonald’s. It introduced new packaging that showed a new logo. The brand also launched new uniforms, products and updated menu boards. The chain hopes that the changes can help with its sales in the first quarter that was impacted by the cold weather and cost-conscious consumers.
