Counter-cyclical fast food

I always get a kick out of articles that describe companies that perform well when the overall economy doesn't-- if only for the reason that it provides a quick rebuttal to the layperson. This article from Slate sums up the fast food success over the last year that was McDonald's. Some nice bits for your arsenal:

"McDonald's sales growth in 2008 was greater than in 2006 and 2007."

"While many restaurants scaled back, it opened nearly 600 stores in 2008."

"...the chain has notched same-store-sales growth in each of 2009's first seven months."

"Over the last three years, its stock has handily outperformed the S&P 500..."

"In Europe, where stressed consumers are still pulling back, McDonald's notched 6.9 percent same-store-sales growth in 2009's second quarter."

Many people like to demonize McDonald's for its indifference towards the health of its foods--which is increasingly difficult to do-- but can you argue with nearly 70 years of creating popular eating spots and over 31,000 locations? The training program for its franchisees is legendary, and Burger King even reportedly amended their expansion strategy to locating near existing McDonald's restaurants. The historical stock information is here; putting your money in McDonalds 30 years ago would make you a very rich TPS reader, to the tune of 50x growth...and even only 6 1/2 years ago would yield over 5x on your investment.

In article-related news, here is an piece on Peru's growth-- reportedly 9.2% in 2008.