McDonald's sales gains show new discounts attracting customers

McDonald's may be hitting its stride. The company's revamped stores, fresh beef burgers and premium sandwiches - along with its new $1, $2, $3 menu - is clicking more with Americans.

The burger chain reported global same-store sales that topped analysts' projections in its latest quarter, indicating its new dollar menu and recent breakfast deals in the U.S. are working.

Like others in the American fast-food industry, McDonald's has been heavily pushing discounted fare to give it a boost in the U.S., where it has 14,000 locations. The company on Monday also cited strength in China, Italy, Germany and Britain.

"They're appealing to the value customer and appealing to the customer who also wants a slightly nicer atmosphere," said BTIG analyst Peter Saleh. "McDonald's is going to start taking back some market share."

Same-store sales rose 5.5 percent in the first quarter, the company said in the statement. That compared with the 3.8 percent gain seen by analysts, according to Consensus Metrix. Domestically, they increased 2.9 percent, also exceeding projections. U.S. same-store sales have gained for the past three years.

The stock had fallen 8 percent this year through Friday's close.

Excluding some items, earnings amounted to $1.79 a share in the quarter, while analysts projected $1.67 on average. Revenue of $5.14 billion, surpassed estimates of $4.97 billion.

Chief Executive Officer Steve Easterbrook is looking to new menu items and revamped restaurants to fuel gains at McDonald's. The company has accelerated its so-called Experience of the Future remodels, which it says will be in most domestic locations by 2020. It's also offering fresh, instead of frozen, beef in certain hamburgers.

McDonald's has previously said it will invest $2.4 billion to help remodel stores in the U.S., and open new locations. McDonald's is also spending capital to modernize its technology. Delivery is another big push to get its food into more customers' homes. The service is being provided by UberEats.

In the company's international lead segment that includes the U.K. and Canada, same-store sales rose 7.8 percent. They gained 4.7 percent in the high-growth unit that includes China and South Korea. Both segments topped estimates.

In China, where competition among restaurant chains is on the rise, McDonald's has said it wants to almost double its outlets within five years.