McDonald's revenue climbs everywhere in April

By Ashley M. Heher, AP Retail Writer

CHICAGO — Customers at McDonald's (MCD) spent more money to buy everything from icy coffee drinks to chicken nuggets in April, boosting a key performance measure, the fast food chain said Monday.

Around the globe, sales in locations open at least a year rose 4.9% last month. In the U.S., the figure climbed 3.8%.

That's slightly less than the gains made in March, but still the second-best posting in a year for the company's American business.

The measure is a key indicator of a restaurant chain's performance because it excludes growth at sites that open or close during the year.

Following a lull during the recession, restaurants have seen people more willing to spend money on food outside of the home, particularly in places where they don't have to spend much.

"McDonald's continues to connect with customers through our outstanding menu variety and compelling value, unbeatable convenience and contemporary restaurants," McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner said in a statement.

In Europe, the figure climbed 5.3% while it rose 3.9% in other regions.

"We remain confident that (McDonald's) can sustain global operating momentum in the balance of 2010," Baird analyst David Tarantino told investors in a research note.

McDonald's has more than 32,000 restaurants around the world. It's based in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, Ill.

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