McDonald's plots turnaround as sales keep falling

The world's biggest hamburger chain said global sales declined 2.3 per cent at established locations during the first three months of the year, with results for April expected to be negative as well. The drop included a 2.6 per cent drop in the U.S., where people are increasingly heading to places that market their food as more wholesome.

Meanwhile, McDonald's is struggling in other regions of the world as well. During the first quarter, the unit encompassing Asia, the Middle East and Africa reported an 8.3 per cent drop in sales at established locations, hurt by a supplier controversy in China last year and ongoing consumer perception issues in Japan.

Sales at established locations dipped 0.6 per cent in Europe because of softness in France and Russia.