McDonald's Serves Up Weak Nov. Sales, Plans Customized Burgers

McDonald's is planning major changes in the U.S. as sales continue to slide, including an expansion of a test that lets people build their own burgers by tapping on a touchscreen. The company said Monday that it plans to expand the option to 2,000 of its 14,000 U.S. locations by next year. The 'Create Your Taste' program is a major departure for McDonald's, which is built to deliver affordable menu items quickly and consistently. A model that has come under pressure with the popularity of places like Chipotle, which let people dictate exactly which toppings they want on their meals. Industry executives and analysts have noted the growing demand for customized orders and this could be a challenge for McDonald's as the customized burgers take longer to prepare and are more expensive. McDonald's has been struggling with declining sales in the U.S. The fast food chain reported a steeper-than-expected fall in November sales on Monday, with comparable store sales down 4.6%, more than double the 2.1% predicted. McDonald's said fourth quarter margins are under pressure as a result.