McDonald's digital efforts, menu innovation help boost shares by 25%

Shares of McDonald's have gained 24.6 percent 24.6 percent in the past year, way higher than the fast-food industry’s 13.5 percent growth, attributed to its digital efforts, menu innovation, loyalty program, and drive-thru channels that drove sales in the last few quarters.

In third-quarter 2021, McDonald's global comparable sales advanced 12.7% against a decline of 2.2 percent in the prior-year quarter.

It was the third consecutive quarter of comps growth for McDonald’s after posting declines in the preceding four quarters.

Digitalization also enormously benefitted McDonald's as it focused on drive-thru, delivery, and takeaway during the pandemic.

Before the coronavirus crisis, drive-thru accounted for about two-thirds of all sales in the United States.

Drive-thru sales in McDonald’s top six markets continue to remain strong compared with pre-pandemic levels despite the reopening of dining rooms.

In the US, 95 percent of its restaurants offer drive-thru facilities.

Meanwhile, over 80 percent of McDonald’s restaurants across 100 markets globally provide delivery services.

Across its major six markets, McDonald's digital sales reached $10 billion or nearly 20 percent of system-wide sales in 2020.