"There's a sense of urgency across the business as we take actions to retain existing customers, regain lapsed customers and convert casual customers to committed customers," said chief executive Steve Easterbrook. Net income for the quarter ending March 31 was $1.2 billion, up eight percent from the year-ago period. Revenues came in at $5.7 billion, down 3.9 percent, reflecting McDonald's sale of restaurants to franchise companies.
Easterbrook has focused heavily on the United States after a lengthy slump, emphasizing the need of good nuts-and-bolts service and simplifying the menu to allow for greater speed. The company has launched the popular "all-day breakfast" option and is introducing more sophisticated online and curbside pickup options. Comparable sales rose 1.7 percent in the US market. Net income translated to $1.47 per share, 14 cents above analyst expectations. Shares rose 2.5 percent to $137.60 in pre-market trading.