June 11, 2007

Shrek movie helps McDonald's boost chicken sales

The release of summer blockbuster Shrek 3 has boosted McDonald's sales 8.7 percent, thanks to tie-ins with its chicken products.

Thanks to the promotion, which featured chicken sandwiches and snack wraps. McDonald's Corp. saw the highest increase in sales for the past three years

McDonald's, the world's largest restaurant company, said May sales at outlets rose 8.7 percent globally and 7.4 percent in the US. Same-store sales in Europe climbed 8.9 percent.

Global sales climbed after McDonald's introduced new versions of the US$1.29 chicken snack wrap in the US and started selling the product in Germany.

McDonald's is constantly introducing new food items, particularly chicken-based items that are very attractive to more health-conscious consumers, a stock analyst commented.

McDonald's said same-store sales increased 10.2 percent in the Asia/Pacific, the Middle East and African region. The introduction of hot cakes as well as egg-and-bacon McMuffins increased breakfast sales in China; extended restaurant hours helped Australian sales.

Global sales last month increased the most since a jump of 10.5 percent in April 2004, McDonald's spokeswoman Heidi Barker said. The company is based in Oak Brook, Illinois.