McDonald's Latin America sales rise more than expected

McDonald's Corp. sales rose to $3.6 billion in Latin America last year, more than the restaurant company anticipated, according to a franchisee.

Sales in dollars increased 2.9 percent in 2009, Arcos Dorados SA Chief Executive Officer Woods Staton, said today at a press conference in Buenos Aires. Arcos Dorados, which owns 1,800 McDonald's restaurants in the region, plans to open 100 additional locations this year, he said.

McDonald's, the world's largest restaurant company, increased its 2007-2010 investment plan in Latin America to $450 million from $350 million, Staton said. The region accounts for about 16 percent of total revenue in dollars.

"2009 was a very tough year, the effects of the recession was felt in all our markets," Staton said. "Still, sales exceeded our expectations."

McDonald's, based in Oak Brook, fell 2 cents to $66.99 at 11:18 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. They had gained 7.3 percent this year before today.