McDonald's Hits 50-Year Dividend Streak Amid Restaurant Industry Challenges

McDonald's Corp., the global restaurant chain known for its franchise-heavy business model, has reached a milestone few companies achieve. The company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.93 a share, up from $1.86. This increase is modest, but the streak behind it is much more interesting.

McDonald's has now increased its dividend for 50 consecutive years, putting half a century of uninterrupted annual dividend growth behind the company. At the new payout, the stock carries a forward yield of about 3.1%. The dividend will be paid Dec. 15 to shareholders of record Dec. 1.

The increase comes at a more challenging point for McDonald's. Its shares have recently traded near 52-week lows as investors watch slowing comparable sales and tougher competition across the restaurant industry. McDonald's has been leaning more heavily on value offerings as it tries to keep price-conscious customers coming through its restaurants.