McDonald's shares fall 6.4% after $8.5bn plan

McDonald's shares fell 6.4 percent after midday on Wednesday as the company outlined an $8.5 billion plan to support franchisees and said US sales in the current quarter were on track to be slightly negative.

The restaurant chain said the support plan would run through 2036 and help franchisees pay for restaurant remodels and technology upgrades. Chief Financial Officer Ian Borden said the measures include rent relief and capital support.

McDonald's presented the plan as a way to revive growth in its home market as consumers face high prices for gasoline and other household items. Chief Executive Chris Kempczinski told CNBC that inflation was “sticky” in the United States and around the world.

Company executives also described plans to use artificial intelligence to speed ordering and improve inventory and supply chain management. McDonald's said its “Next” plan would produce about 2.5 percent restaurant-level efficiency gains.

The investor day came after McDonald's reported annual US comparable sales growth of 0.2 percent in 2024 and 2.1 percent in 2025. Borden said the wider Next plan would mean about $800,000 in total investments for US restaurants over time.