McDonald's January same-store sales up 7.1 percent

I guess when you can't afford the fancy restaurants, you eat at McDonald's.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Cash-strapped consumers kept buying McDonald's burgers and breakfast items in January, helping the fast food company post a 7.1 percent worldwide increase Monday in same-store sales for the month.

Considering that McDonald's has been eating into Starbucks coffee business with their new McCafe and their coffee products, I think they are filling that void in family dining. I have noticed more families eating at McDonald's and enjoying their time together. The children play on the playscape while the parents enjoy a latte and talk. Inexpensive food, cheap entertainment for the kids and quiet conversation for the parents. You can't ask for more than that.

When I was growing up, we would have lunch at McDonald's and we enjoyed the meal and the family time. With the economy the way it is, people are learning to cut back and make the best of a bad situation.