McDonald’s Beats Sales Forecast Thanks to Chicken Strips and Minecraft Meal

McDonald’s sales Q2 2025 rose above expectations, driven by the success of its Minecraft-themed meal and new McCrispy chicken strips.

The Chicago-based fast food chain reported a 5% increase in revenue, reaching $6.8 billion for the April–June quarter. That beat Wall Street’s estimate of $6.7 billion, according to FactSet.

Same-store sales, a key industry metric, jumped nearly 4%, reversing earlier forecasts of a 1% decline. As a result, McDonald’s shares climbed 3% in premarket trading on Wednesday.

This marked a significant turnaround from the first quarter of the year. At that time, both U.S. and global same-store sales were down as middle- and lower-income consumers pulled back on fast food spending.

However, the launch of a limited-time Minecraft Movie Meal, available in 100 countries starting in April, helped bring customers back. The campaign was a hit—collectible toys sold out in under two weeks.

Also contributing to the boost were the new McCrispy chicken strips, which debuted in May. Their popularity helped increase customer traffic during the second quarter.

Other fast food giants didn’t perform as well during the same period. Yum Brands, which owns KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, reported disappointing results. KFC’s same-store sales fell 5% in the U.S. Meanwhile, Chipotle cut its full-year forecast after reporting a 4% decline in same-store sales during Q2.

McDonald’s net income for the quarter rose 11% to $2.25 billion. Adjusted for one-time expenses, such as restructuring costs, the company earned $3.14 per share, matching analysts’ expectations.

Source: Reuters