Chicago — A revamp of McDonald’s iconic Big Mac burger and more aggressive drink promotions are helping the restaurant giant overcome a broader slump in the fast-food industry. The chain posted a surprisingly strong gain in same-store sales last quarter, with the measure growing 4% globally. Analysts had estimated a 1.3% rise. Earnings also topped projections. The results suggest that CEO Steve Easterbrook got a pay-off from efforts to revamp the company’s menu. He rolled out different sizes of the Big Mac and offered $1-and $2-drink deals, a bid to attract customers in a cut-throat US restaurant environment. Shares of McDonald’s rose as much as 3.6% to $139 in early trading. By Monday’s close, the stock had climbed 10% this year, outpacing the S&P’s 500 Index’s 6% gain. US same-store sales rose 1.7% last quarter, an unexpected gain. Analysts projected a 0.8% drop. Earnings amounted to $1.47 a share in the period, handily beating the $1.34 estimate of analysts. The company is also l...
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