McDonald's says its sales and profit grew in the fourth quarter as more hungry diners gobbled up its cheap eats and it continued to weather the downturn better than most businesses.

For the three months that ended Dec. 31, McDonald's Corp. says it earned $1.22 billion, or $1.11 per share. That's 23 percent more than a year earlier and above analyst estimates. The results included a one-time benefit of 8 cents per share.

Revenue climbed 7 percent to $5.97 billion.

Analysts expected the world's largest burger chain to earn $1.02 per share on revenue of $5.94 billion. They usually exclude one-time items.

McDonald's is based in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, Ill.