McDonald's July same-store sales rise 8%

OAK BROOK, Ill. -- The world's biggest hamburger chain said Friday U.S.same-store sales, sales at locations more than a year old, grew 6.7%.

The United States, where McDonald's gets about 45 percent of its sales, has been under pressure for the world's largest restaurant chain as cash-strapped consumers have cut back on spending.

But $1 beverage offers and marketing focused on the company's Big Mac hamburger sandwich helped lift same-store sales in the U.S. to a 6.7% increase, the largest since a Leap-Day-inflated 8.3% in February, the company said.

Same-store sales jumped 7.6% in Europe, led by sales in the U.K., France and Russia.

In the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region, same-store sales climbed 7.2% because of extended hours and menu items. Latin American same-store sales were up in double digits, the company said