McDonald’s Posts Stellar First-Quarter Earnings The fast-food chain saw same-store U.S. sales grow 2.9 percent, while sales at global restaurants rose 5.5 percent. McDonald’s earned $1.38 billion, or $1.72 per share, for the first quarter of 2018. Last year, the company earned $1.21 billion, or $1.37 per share. McDonald’s stock rose five percent in early morning trading Monday. The burger giant has raised prices for things like gourmet burgers, but it still offers popular deals like the McPick 2 promotion, which allows customers to a mix-and-match two items for $5.