The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Nov. 5, edition that McDonald's posted improved U.S. sales. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that McDonald's highlighted gains from increased marketing toward entry-level meal deals and extra-value meals alongside the return of promotional offers, including a $2 (U.S.) breakfast sandwich and free fries with a $1(U.S.) minimum purchase. This helped bring back customers who were opting for cheaper alternatives from rivals, convenience stores and home cooked meals as they face the rising cost of living. McDonald's said it is taking steps to improve its near-term performance in the United States. It said it was encouraged by its baseline traffic trends in September and October. Customer visits to McDonald's restaurants fell 4.6 per cent from a year earlier in the third quarter and rose recently due to the return of the chain's Monopoly promotion and Halloween-themed Boo Buckets, though still below year-ago levels. McDonald's announced its new turnaround strategy called "NEXT" in June. The plan focuses on streamlining operations, updating restaurant designs and investing in employee training to enhance efficiency at the restaurant level.