THE NEWS: McDonald’s Corp. said a key revenue figure was flat in July. That was the worst showing for the fast food chain since April 2003, when the figure dipped slightly.
Recommended Stories
THE BACKGROUND: The world’s biggest hamburger chain mostly blamed the sluggish economy for stalled growth. But the company is also facing stiffer competition from rivals such as Taco Bell, Burger King and Wendy’s.
THE BIG PICTURE: McDonald’s, based in Oak Brook, Ill., has more than 33,500 restaurants around the world and is often seen as a bellwether for the industry. It has outperformed its rivals in recent years by emphasizing value and rolling out new menu items.
