LONDON (ShareCast) - Hamburger giant McDonald’s boosted like-for-like sales by 5% in April as new products and its breakfast menus enticed more customers to the chain.

Like-for-like sales for the year so far are up by 6.8% and all geographic areas showed an improvement. Sales rose by 2% in the US, 6.3% in Europe led by France, the UK, Russia and Germany and by 7.8% in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

Total sales across McDonald’s worldwide restaurants and franchises increased 13.7% in April, or 6.5% in constant currencies.

"We're listening to our customers and giving them what they expect from McDonald's – menu variety, enhanced convenience and everyday value. This ongoing customer focus and execution through our Plan to Win is driving the sustained momentum of our global business,” chief executive Jim Skinner said.

McDonald's said the launch of a premium burger in France and Germany plus a Monopoly promotion in the UK boosted sales in those countries.

• News Channel