McDonald's posts biggest US sales decline in nearly five years

(Reuters) -McDonald's posted a bigger-than-expected drop in fourth-quarter U.S. comparable sales on Monday, as demand took a hit from a brief E.coli outbreak while diners remained watchful of their spending. It fell 1.4% in the U.S., McDonald's biggest market, its steepest drop since the COVID-19 pandemic almost five years ago when restaurants limited operations to drive-thru and delivery. Similar to fast-food rivals such as Yum Brands and Wendy's, McDonald's ramped up its limited-time offers and meal deals in 2024 to spur spending among customers preferring to eat meals at home.