McDonald's posted its largest monthly comparable sales increase in more than three years, helped by the popularity of its small sandwiches in France and a big green ogre in the United States.
McDonald's shares traded higher Friday.
The world's largest restaurant chain said sales rose 8.7% in May at restaurants open at least 13 months, beating analysts expectations and the largest increase since April 2004.
Wall Street analysts had been expecting a rise of 5%, according to research notes.
Same-store sales, a key retail measure, rose 7.4% in the United States, helped by a promotional tie in with the DreamWorks movie "Shrek the Third" and continued strength in its breakfast business.
Same-store sales rose 8.9% in Europe, boosted by chicken snack wraps and other items in Germany and P'tit Plaisir sandwiches in France -- a line of smaller beef and chicken sandwiches.
Same-store sales rose 10.2% in the company's Asia/Middle East and Africa unit, helped by western-style breakfast items in China and deli chicken sandwiches and extended hours in Australia.
Systemwide total sales rose 11.9% in May, but were up 10 percent on a constant currency basis.