Fast food chain McDonald’s saw a slide in global sales for the last three months of its financial year, hit by a poor performance in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Sales in its home market of the US dipped by 1.6%, with a bigger fall of 2.6% in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Sales in the UK and the rest of Europe were stronger, rising by 1% in the fourth quarter. The chain added that it plans to open up to 1,600 outlets next year, adding to its current estate of 34,000.