Core Insights - Fast food earnings week showcased strong performance from major players, particularly McDonald's and Restaurant Brands International, highlighting the competitive landscape in the industry [1] McDonald's Performance - Global same-store sales increased by 5.7% in Q4, surpassing the expected 3.7%, with U.S. comps rising 6.8%, marking the largest increase in about two years [2] - Revenue grew by 10% to $7.01 billion, with adjusted EPS reaching $3.12, exceeding the expected $3.05 [2] - Operating margins are projected to be in the mid-to-high 40% range, indicating strong profitability [2] - Strategies included subsidizing "extra value" meals, reviving the Monopoly promotion, and launching a Grinch holiday campaign that resulted in the highest single sales day in company history [3] - Despite concerns over GLP-1 medications affecting appetite, McDonald's reported no material impact on sales, with protein items still performing well [3] Restaurant Brands International (RBI) Performance - RBI reported Q4 adjusted EPS of 96 cents, slightly above expectations, with revenue of $2.47 billion, exceeding the anticipated $2.41 billion [6] - Same-store sales rose by 3.1%, with organic revenue increasing by 6.5% after adjusting for currency and refranchising [6] - International same-store sales surged by 6.1%, with Burger King's international comps climbing 5.8%, outperforming the expected 3.7% [6] - Domestically, Tim Hortons saw comps grow by 2.9%, below the 3.8% forecast, while Popeyes experienced a decline of 4.8%, indicating a need for strategic changes [7] - RBI closed its Burger King China joint venture, with private equity firm CPE acquiring approximately 83%, while RBI retains a minority stake and board representation [8]
The Global Burger War Enters Its Value-and-Vicodin Phase