The fast-food giant, which has contended in the last week with an E. Coli outbreak in the western US, saw a modest uptick in comparable sales in its home market, but lower sales in other regions.

The chain reported a third-quarter profit of US$2.3 billion, down 3% from the year-ago period on revenues of US$6.9 billion, up 3%.

Global comparable sales decreased 1.5%.

In the US, higher order sizes offset a drag from a drop in guest counts.

The chain also cited higher delivery sales.

But results were dented by “the continued impact of the war in the Middle East” and negative comparable sales in China, McDonald’s said.

Those negatives more than offset gains in Latin America.

McDonald’s also said it encountered weakness in France and Britain.

The chain’s US operations has been in crisis mode following an E. coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounder hamburgers, mainly in the western US.

Restaurants in a dozen US states had temporarily pulled the burgers from their menus amid an outbreak that saw dozens of customers sent to the hospital and one person die.

Chief executive Christopher Kempczinski reiterated that the company had removed from its supply chain the source of slivered onions believed to be the root cause of the problem, he told analysts on a conference call.

“The recent spate of E. coli cases is deeply concerning and hearing reports how this has impacted our customers is wrenching for us,” he said.

“On behalf of the entire system, we are sorry for what our customers have experienced.”

Shares dropped 2.2% in pre-market trading.