McDonalds, Starbucks and Pepsico situation in the United States concern

The results of the first quarter of 2025 were not the most encouraging for companies in the food sector in the United States, as references such as McDonald’s, Starbucks and Pepsico did not reach market expectations.

In the first instance, McDonald’s sales in the stores of that country fell for the second consecutive quarter, registering its greatest internal decrease since the beginning of COVID-19.

At the general level, net sales fell 3 % to US $ 5,960 million, while the trimester’s utility ended at US $ 1,870 million, less than US $ 1,930 million of the same period of the previous year.

Comparable sales of McDonald’s in the US. In the worst collapse of the iconic brand from the collapse of 8.7 % of the second quarter of 2020when the states imposed confinements to stop the spread of pandemic.

“In the US, the general traffic of the fast food restaurant industry from the low -income consumer segment decreased almost two digits compared to the same quarter of the previous year,” said executive director Chris Kempczinski at the company’s telephone conference.

Recommended: McDonald’s joins multinational companies that will make massive layoffs in 2023

Despite the above, McDonald’s reiterated his forecasts for the whole year, including Plans to open 2,200 premises and invest between US $ 3,000 and US $ 3.2 billion in capital investments. The company projects that the net opening of restaurants will boost sales growth throughout the system in just over 2 %.

How did Pepsico

Pepsico, the food and drink giant, reduced its prognosis of profits per action, in the presentation of its results, citing new tariffs, economic volatility and a more cautious consumer.

“Facing the future, We foresee greater volatility and uncertaintyespecially in relation to the evolution of world trade, which foresees that it will increase the costs of our supply chain, ”said executive director, Ramón Laguarta, in a statement.

Company sales fell 1.8 %, to US $ 17,920 million. Pepsi also registered a net income of US $ 1,830 million, which was lower than US $ 2,040 million in the previous year.

The plans to restructure your business in North America include a greater expansion towards multicultural and functional products, such as its Simply brands, Sabia and seven. The company also recently acquired Poppi, a prebiotic soda brand. And to attract consumers who use GLP-1 medications, Pepsi plans to add more proteins to their portfolio.

Pepsi is also accelerating its transition to more natural ingredients. After the announcement of the Food and Medicines Administration (FDA) of their plans to gradually eliminate synthetic dyes by the end of the year, Laguarta said that Lay’s and Tostito’s will stop using artificial coloring by 2026.

Keep reading: CCU and Pepsico are integrated in Paraguay to form one of the largest beverage businesses

“The American prohibition of oil derived dyes would affect Pepsi products such as Flamin ‘Hot Cheetos and Mountain Dew Baja Blast, but it is not clear what control measures would take the agency if food and beverage companies do not meet their schedule. Pepsi general transition will take more than expected by the FDA, although 60 % of its products do not use artificial coloring”Said CNBC.

Read too

Starbucks does not achieve quarter goals, but projects improvement

Nonetheless, Starbucks reported weaker profits than expected and another quarter of falls in sales in the same storesbut the coffee giant said his recovery strategy is showing early successful signals.

“Our financial results still do not reflect our progress, but we have a great boost with our Plan ‘Back to Starbucks’,” said executive director Brian Niccol in a video published on the company’s website. “We are testing and learning at high speed and we are seeing changes in our coffee shops.”

Starbucks reported a net income attributable to the company in the second fiscal quarter of US $ 384.2 million, which was reduced by half of the US $ 772.4 million of the previous year.

While net sales increased 2 %, to US $ 8,760 million, Starbucks comparable sales fell for a consecutive fifth quarter. The company’s income has collapsed because consumers in the United States and China, their two largest markets, look for cheaper coffee options.

The company’s operational margin fell from 12.8 % to 6.9 %, since it invested more to boost its recovery. Labor costs increased by hiring more baristas in their US coffee shops.

It is important to remember that, in October last year, the company suspended its prognosis for fiscal year 2025 by revealing the early stages of its restructuring strategy.

This plan included layoffs of its administrative employees. At the end of February, Starbucks announced that it would cut 1,100 corporate positions, in addition to several hundred vacancies, as part of the restructuring plan.

* Pulzo.com is written with z

Read all economy news today.