McDonald's (MCD Quick QuoteMCD - Free Report) reported $6.52 billion in revenue for the quarter ended March 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 9.4%. EPS of $2.83 for the same period compares to $2.67 a year ago.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +0.49% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.49 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $2.74, the EPS surprise was +3.22%.

While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.

As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.

Here is how McDonald's performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Comparable sales growth - U.S. - YoY change: 3.9% compared to the 4.1% average estimate based on seven analysts.
• Comparable sales growth - International Developmental Licensed Markets & Corporate - YoY change: 3.4% versus the seven-analyst average estimate of 4.2%.
• Systemwide restaurants - Total Systemwide: 45,699 versus 45,703 estimated by seven analysts on average.
• Comparable sales growth - International Operated Markets - YoY change: 3.9% compared to the 4.1% average estimate based on seven analysts.
• Revenues- Company-owned and operated sales- Total: $2.32 billion versus the seven-analyst average estimate of $2.33 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +8.7%.
• Revenues- Franchised revenues- Total: $4.01 billion compared to the $4 billion average estimate based on seven analysts. The reported number represents a change of +9.5% year over year.
• Revenues- Company-owned and operated sales- International Operated Markets: $1.48 billion versus the five-analyst average estimate of $1.47 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +12.8%.
• Revenues- Company-owned and operated sales- International Developmental Licensed Markets & Corporate: $111 million versus the five-analyst average estimate of $120.17 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +12.1%.
• Revenues- Franchised revenues- International Operated Markets: $1.78 billion versus the five-analyst average estimate of $1.77 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +14.7%.
• Revenues- Company-owned and operated sales- U.S.: $729 million versus the five-analyst average estimate of $740.06 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +0.7%.
• Revenues- Total Other revenues: $193 million versus the five-analyst average estimate of $180.71 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +19.1%.
• Revenues- Total Company-owned and operated sales and Franchised revenues- International Developmental Licensed Markets & Corporate: $587 million versus the five-analyst average estimate of $598.63 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +11.2%.

View all Key Company Metrics for McDonald's here>>>

Shares of McDonald's have returned -7.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +11.4% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.