McDonalds Same Store Sales Rose 5.1%

McDonald’s Corp. said Monday that its same-store sales climbed 5.1 percent in May, as the nation’s largest hamburger chain got a boost from strong international growth even as sales increases slowed in the U.S.

However, Oak Brook, Ill.-based company said U.S. same-store sales climbed just 2.8 percent, helped by classic menu items and its new McCafe espresso-based coffees.

European same-store sales surged 7.6 percent on strong results from France, Germany, Russia and the U.K.

Shares fell $1.87 to $58 in premarket trading.

Same-store sales for Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa rose 6.4 percent, mainly due to strength in Australia.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, are a key indicator of retailer performance because they measure growth at existing stores rather than newly opened ones.

6/8/2009 8:52 AM OAK BROOK, Ill. (AP)