McDonald’s reported a surge in sales for the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by a renewed focus on value meals and successful promotional campaigns, including the return of the Monopoly game and a limited-edition Grinch-themed meal that unexpectedly propelled the fast-food chain into the global sock market.
Globally, same-store sales rose by 5.7% during the October-December period, exceeding Wall Street expectations, according to analysts polled by FactSet. In the United States, comparable sales increased by 6.8%, marking the company’s best quarterly U.S. Same-store sales in over two years. The results represent the third consecutive domestic quarterly increase for McDonald’s, which had previously faced headwinds from rising menu prices and economic pressures.
The company’s strategy of offering lower-priced menu options, such as the $5 Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle and the $8 10-piece Chicken McNuggets meal, proved particularly effective in attracting budget-conscious consumers. McDonald’s gained market share among consumers with household incomes of $45,000 or less in December, reversing a recent trend of those customers dining out less frequently, according to company executives.
“McDonald’s is not going to get beat on value and affordability,” CEO Chris Kempczinski stated during an investor conference call. “It’s in our DNA, and we will remain agile to respond to a dynamic competitive landscape.”
The Grinch meal, which included themed socks, was a standout success, selling over 50 million pairs globally and briefly making McDonald’s the largest seller of socks in the world. The promotion concluded within a week due to high demand, leading to the highest single-day sales in the company’s history, executives reported.
Despite the positive sales figures, McDonald’s continues to navigate a challenging financial environment. The company acknowledged ongoing high costs for labor and food, and stated it spent approximately $75 million in the fourth quarter to assist franchisees with costs related to value meal promotions. Kempczinski also noted pressure on lower-income consumers, while indicating that spending among higher-income customers remained stable.
The return of the Monopoly game in October also contributed significantly to the sales increase. McDonald’s has been aggressively pushing lower prices with Extra Value Meals and a McValue Menu featuring digital and national offers.
