At least one restaurant chain is doing well. McDonald's store-to-store sales rose 7.7 percent around the world and 4.3 percent in the United States last month. That U.S. result isn't easy to do when the chain keeps pounding on its dollar menu, which inhibits franchisee's ability to raise prices. The overall strength reflects healthy economies in Europe and Asia. Pretty admirable result for a chain I would have pegged as topped out a few years ago. Stock is up a couple bucks. Reuters on McDonald's:

Same-store sales, a key gauge of retail health, rose 4.3 percent in the United States. The company cited new menu items such as the Southern Style Chicken biscuit and its emphasis on low-priced menu items, such as a $1 double cheeseburger, which have helped McDonald's weather the economic downturn by driving traffic and luring cash-strapped diners away from higher-priced sit-down restaurants.

McDonald's has said it plans to expand its value offerings this summer, when the majority of its U.S. restaurants will add $1 beverages to their menus.

Same-store sales rose 9.6 percent in Europe, led by strength in the U.K., France and Russia, and 9.7 percent in the Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa division.