McDonald’s sales soar in biggest jump globally over five years

International fast food giant McDonald’s has posted its biggest jump in global sales at established restaurants in five years, helped by stronger traffic worldwide and US initiatives including drink specials and custom sandwiches.

The company is getting customers back into its restaurants after years of declining traffic.

It saw an increase in US diners last quarter — a key milestone that has proved elusive to chief executive Steve Easterbrook — and posted same-store sales that handily beat analysts’ estimates. The company’s shares rose the most in three months, hitting a record high.