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Chief executive Steve Easterbrook told investors on a conference call that executives are feeling confident about the U.S. unit’s performance because it has been sharing best practices with its strongest global markets.

“We have so much learning now from Australia, Canada and the U.K. in particular,” Easterbrook said.

In Canada, McDonald’s has posed an ongoing competitive threat to industry coffee leader Tim Hortons, whose brand has come under scrutiny in the last year after a series of clashes between a group of franchisees and head office.

Last week, owner Restaurant Brands International said overall Tim Hortons same-store sales fell 0.3 per cent in the first quarter — the sixth quarter in a row of weak performance — dragged down by tepid results in in Canada. The period included a rough patch in January when the brand came under fire after some Ontario franchisees cut back employee benefits in response to a minimum wage hike in the province. The franchisees countered that head office had not allowed them to increase prices to customers, as chains such as McDonald’s had done.

“Brewed coffee continues to be a battleground for them,” said Robert Carter, executive director of foodservice at market research firm NPD.

“McDonald’s business seems to be on a bit of an upswing. Their coffee platform is very strong, breakfast sales continue to be strong, they are focusing on menu innovation and they are also attracting millennial customers. At Tim Hortons, traffic seems to be soft. It is not growing at the same rate as McDonald’s.”