McDonald’s, the American fast-food giant, finds itself grappling with profit setbacks as CEO Chris Kempczinski underscores the growing financial caution among consumers and the ramifications of conflict in the Middle East on its global operations.

In the latest quarter, McDonald’s reported a modest 1.9 per cent growth in comparable sales, falling short of Wall Street’s projections. Sales in the United States, driven by price hikes, increased by 2.5 per cent, albeit significantly lower than the 12.6 per cent surge recorded the previous year.

Despite implementing menu price adjustments to counter rising ingredient costs, McDonald’s continues to face challenges in catering to the budget constraints of its lower-income customer base.

The impact of the Middle East conflict reverberates through McDonald’s international licensee sales, with a 0.2 per cent decline observed. This downturn, attributed to ongoing hostilities in the region, offsets positive sales trends in other key markets such as Japan, Latin America, and Europe.

While total revenue for the first quarter rose by 5 per cent to $6.2 billion, contributing to a quarterly net income of $1.93 billion, CEO Kempczinski acknowledges the heightened discernment among consumers amid elevated prices in daily expenditures, placing added pressure on the quick-service restaurant industry.

Earlier warnings from the group’s finance chief, Ian Borden, regarding declining international sales due to Middle East tensions and economic sluggishness in China, prove prescient. Kempczinski highlights the “meaningful business impact” of the conflict, exacerbated by misinformation surrounding the brand.

McDonald’s joins a cohort of western brands facing boycotts over perceived affiliations, particularly after announcing support for Israeli causes. Starbucks, in a similar vein, revised its annual sales forecasts in response to lower sales and foot traffic in Middle Eastern stores.

While McDonald’s grapples with profit challenges, other fast-food chains like Restaurant Brands International and Domino’s Pizza exhibit resilience. Burger King’s owner beats expectations, buoyed by a resurgence in outlet demand, while Domino’s benefits from promotional offers on its pizzas.

Founded in 1940 by Dick and Mac McDonald in California, McDonald’s has evolved into a global brand with over 40,000 outlets across 100 countries. With a market value of $197 billion, McDonald’s shares closed marginally lower at $273.06 in New York, reflecting industry challenges amidst changing consumer behaviours and geopolitical tensions.