McDonald's says tariffs are hurting sales after reporting largest decline since pandemic
CBSN
McDonald's, a stalwart American fast food chain, posted a steep sales drop at U.S. restaurants in its first quarter earnings report Thursday, citing economic uncertainty and diminished consumer sentiment.
"Heightened anxiety" about the economy, driven largely by tariffs, is weighing on lower-income Americans, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said on the call, proving the domestic impact of making goods produced abroad more costly to import.
The burger chain's same-store sales in the U.S. declined 3.6% in the first quarter, reflecting economic pressures weighing on low- and middle-income consumers in particular, McDonald's said on its earnings call. That marks the biggest U.S. decline for the company since the COVID-19 pandemic forced stores to close nationwide.

As the Trump administration continues to prepare military options for strikes in Iran, U.S. allies in the Mideast, including Turkey, Oman and Qatar, are attempting to head off that possibility by brokering diplomatic talks, multiple regional officials told CBS News. Camilla Schick and Eleanor Watson contributed to this report.

Another winter storm may be headed toward the East Coast of the United States this weekend, on the heels of a powerful and deadly system that blanketed huge swaths of the country in snow and ice. The effects of that original storm have lingered for many areas in its path, and will likely remain as repeated bouts of Arctic air plunge downward from Canada and drive temperatures below freezing. Nikki Nolan contributed to this report. In:











