McDonald's Shrinks In America For The First Time In Decades

The company will have 59 fewer U.S. stores by the end of this year, a document reveals.

McDonald's problems in the U.S. have been well documented. CEO Steve Easterbrook told investors last month that domestic results have been disappointing for nearly three years now. So it's shuttering stores, and a new report reveals how many the country will lose.

The chain, which had about 14,350 U.S. locations, as of the end of last year, will close 184 restaurants and open 125 new ones in 2015, reported Bloomberg News, citing a franchise operations document.

That means the Golden Arches' total U.S. footprint will shrink by 59 locations. This is the first time in more than 45 years that the company's will decrease its domestic store count, according to the Associated Press. The company is now 60 years old.

The chain's problems aren't limited to the U.S. Globally, McDonald's will close about 700 underperforming restaurants this year. Corporate employees have been affected: Since December, McDonald's has laid off more than 260 people in its Oak Brook, Illinois offices, according to Crain's Chicago Business.

The company did not immediately respond to an email inquiry about the closings.

McDonald's is in the process of implementing a turnaround plan that includes a corporate restructuring, new menu strategy, and digital innovations including ordering by app and kiosk. It expects global comparable sales to be positive next quarter, but a domestic turnaround will likely take longer.

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