Traffic at U.S. McDonald's restaurants fell during the third quarter as customers struggled with higher gas prices and the uncomfortably high cost of living.

U.S. same-store sales - or sales at locations open at least a year -- fell 0. 2% in the July-September period, the Chicago burger giant said Wednesday.

While that was not as bad as the 0. 5% drop Wall Street had expected, it was the first retreat for McDonald's since early 2025.