McDonald's posts 5% rise in sales

McDonald's, the fast-food restaurant group, yesterday posted a 5.1 per cent increase in sales at established stores, helped by smoothies and other drinks in the United States and growth in its breakfast business in Europe.

The world's largest hamburger chain said sales at restaurants open for at least 13 months rose 4.4 per cent in the US, 5.3 per cent in Europe and 4 per cent in Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa.