Same-store sales were the strongest during the quarter in the company's Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa division, rising 7.2%. In June, that division was led by sales in Australia and Japan, pushing it to an 8.8% jump.
Restaurants in Europe posted a 6.3% rise in the quarter, though June comps were lower, up 4.2%. Management gave credit to a line of premium sandwiches and salads in the continent as well as promotions during the World Cup soccer tournament in German in June.
Executives are forecasting earnings of 62 cents per share for the quarter, when full results are released on July 25. Second-quarter earnings per share came in at 42 cents last year. Part of this year's increase is due to gains from the company's IPO last year of Mexican chain Chipotle.
McDonald's operates about 30,000 restaurants in 100 countries, approximately 70% of which are owned by franchisees. Earlier this month the locally based company signed a joint-venture deal with a China-based developer, giving it access to 3,000 additional sites for development in that country.
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