McDonald’s sees same-store sales climb

Consumer spending and confidence may be waning, but people still need that jolt of morning caffeine to wash down an egg sandwich.

McDonald’s Corp.’s big push on coffee and new breakfast items in its U.S. restaurants contributed to a double-digit jump last month in sales at stores open at least 13 months, accompanying even stronger growth in Europe, the company said Monday.

The world’s biggest fast-food chain reported that so-called same-store sales climbed 11.7% over a year earlier -- evidence that the economic slowdown hasn’t dealt it the blow that some investors had earlier feared.

Although its new specialty coffees won’t be available in all its U.S. restaurants until next year, analysts said they have heard positive feedback on how the products are faring in the 1,000-plus McDonald’s where they are served.

In the meantime, the company said the premium roast coffee it rolled out two years ago helped fuel U.S. same-store sales growth of 8.3% in February.

The new McSkillet breakfast burrito also aided February numbers, as did the weak dollar at international restaurants and the benefit of an extra selling day. The leap year boosted same-store sales by about 4% in all, the Oak Brook, Ill.-based company said.

European same-store sales grew by 15.4% on strong results in Britain, France, Germany and Russia.

Two straight months of solid results to start the year have helped reassure investors worried about the effect of the economic slowdown. Shares of McDonald’s rose $1.53 to $53.80.