McDonald’s sales in the first quarter of 2025, marking the second consecutive quarter decline, as customers reduce their costs amid economic uncertainty.

In the United States, the largest McDonald’s market, sales in the same number of stores decreased by 3.6%. This is the biggest decline that the chain has recorded since 2020, at the height of the Covid and quarantine pandemic.

Net profit for the first quarter was $ 1.87 billion, down from $ 1.93 billion compared to the same period a year ago.

McDonald’s chief executive Chris Kempczinski said consumers are “facing uncertainty”, but that he remains optimistic about “the ability of the company to manage even the most difficult market conditions”.

In a telephone conversation with analysts, Kempczinski said that “geopolitical tensions were added to economic uncertainty and reduced the consumer climate more than we expected.” Restaurant visits to its largest markets, including the US, declined more than the foreseen.

Although it expects that McDonald’s will “overcome” its competitors, the chain is not “immune to the instability of the industry or the pressures that our consumers face.”

McDonald’s also sees an almost double -digit reduction in low -income consumers over a year ago. In addition, the costs of medium -income consumers “have also declined almost equally, a clear indication that financial pressure has expanded”.

The picture is similar to McDonald’s competitors with Chipotle, Yum! Brands, Domino’s Pizza and Starbucks to announce recently meager profits as the consumer climate sinks.

McDonald’s will turn to the release of new chicken strips next week, a product that customers require its return since it was removed from the menus a few years ago. The favorite “Snack Wrap” with chicken is also expected to return in the coming months.

McDonald’s (MCD) shares fell nearly 2% at the beginning of the negotiation.