McDonald’s Sales Grow Globally With Digital Efforts

With new digital ordering capabilities and store improvements, McDonald’s said sales grew globally in the latest quarter: Same-store growth of 6.5 percent around the world was better than expected, while same-store sales in the U.S. grew 5.7 percent to come out ahead of 5 percent growth expectations, The Wall Street Journal reported.

To offer greater convenience and speed to customers, the quick-service restaurant (QSR) company has been focusing on technology and digital sales. The company, for instance, made a deal with DoorDash this month to deliver food from locations in Texas. (Previously, the company had an exclusive delivery arrangement with Uber.)

In addition, the company is experimenting with automated kitchen equipment and ordering that is voice-activated in its drive-thrus. It also acquired Dynamic Yield, an Israeli digital startup, earlier in the year. The company’s technology was in place at 700 of the company’s stores in the quarter that was most recent. And the chain has also encouraged franchisees to bring upgrades through digital kiosks and new dining rooms.

As previously reported, the move to partner with DoorDash will begin on July 29 in Houston in more than 200 restaurants. Chris Kempczinski, McDonald’s U.S. head, said per prior reports, “Building on the success of McDelivery in the U.S., we’re excited to make McDelivery accessible to customers on DoorDash, which is available in all 50 states and reaches 80 percent of Americans, making it even more convenient for our customers to enjoy their favorite McDonald’s menu items on their terms.”

The McDonald’s menu will be available on the subscription service DoorDash, which offers unlimited free delivery on orders that are $12 or more to members. On the news, Uber shares dipped less than 1 percent during afternoon trading on Tuesday. Shares in rival delivery service GrubHub dropped 2 percent.

DoorDash Chief Operating Officer Christopher Payne said, according to a past report, “We are excited to make that entire equation work.”