McDonald’s: $100 Million Recovery Plan & 2,200 New Stores – Can It Bounce Back?

McDonald’s faced a challenging end to 2024, as its U.S. sales and earnings declined, largely due to an E. coli outbreak tied to slivered onions on Quarter Pounders. This food safety crisis affected 104 people across 14 states, leading to 34 hospitalizations and one fatality. The outbreak severely impacted consumer trust and business performance, causing U.S. same-store sales to drop 1.4% in the fourth quarter. Additionally, consumer spending softened as diners cut back on visits, and the slowdown in menu price increases further weighed on revenue.