Fast-food diners in the UAE are tucking into McDonald's at a faster rate than their western counterparts as spiralling local sales outpace the global average.
Global sales last month for the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants grew by 4.8 per cent, but it rose by more than double that in the UAE.
Rafic Fakih, the managing director of McDonald's Emirates, said sales at its outlets increased by about 10 per cent last month. Across the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and Africa, McDonald's sales grew by 10.5 per cent, ahead of the 0.6 per cent growth in the US, and 5.4 in Europe.
The local boost was helped by tourists coming in for the Dubai Shopping Festival, regional school holidays and an improved consumer sentiment in the Emirates, Mr Fakih said.
"Psychologically, we are far from the shock of 2008 and the beginning of 2009," he said. "-In general visitors to the UAE are coming back to normal trends."
The rebound in McDonald's sales came after a difficult year for retailers across the board. With their budget-friendly menus, fast-food retailers have fared relatively well but the McDonald's global sales growth rate has nearly halved. Its comparable global sales grew by just 3.8 per cent last year, down from an increase of 6.9 per cent in 2008. The impact was more prominent in the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific and Africa, which had same-store sales growth of 3.4 per cent last year, down from 9 per cent. In Europe, the sales growth dropped to 2.6 per cent from 4 per cent, and in the US to 5.2 per cent, from 8.5 per cent.
But McDonald's global sales improved last month, with a growth of 4.8 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in the same month last year.
One contributing factor was the celebration of Chinese New Year in many markets, McDonald's said.
The Emirates benefited from this, too, as Chinese tourists flocked to Dubai and Abu Dhabi to celebrate the occasion. The Emirates Palace saw a 600 per cent increase in guests from China during the week surrounding Chinese New Year on February 14. Hunter International Tourism, one of China's largest travel agencies, said tour bookings were up 50 per cent in Dubai and 30 per cent in Abu Dhabi.
Mr Fakih was optimistic that McDonald's Emirates's sales this year would be 7 per cent to 10 per cent more than last year, but the figures were unlikely to reach the 14 per cent growth it saw in 2008.
aligaya@thenational.ae
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg
Roma 4
Milner (15' OG), Dzeko (52'), Nainggolan (86', 90 4')
Liverpool 2
Mane (9'), Wijnaldum (25')
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Sweet%20Tooth
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Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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Newcastle United 1
Perez 23'
Wolverhampton Rovers 2
Jota 17', Doherty 90' 4
Red cards: Yedlin 57'
Man of the Match: Diogo Jota (Wolves)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
FA Cup fifth round draw
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
57%20Seconds
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The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Manchester City transfers:
OUTS
Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Willy Caballero and Jesus Navas (all released)
INS
Ederson (Benfica) £34.7m, Bernardo Silva (Monaco) £43m
ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph, Nolito and Kelechi Iheanacho
ON THEIR WAY IN?
Dani Alves (Juventus), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
The years Ramadan fell in May
