McDonald's Corp reported a better-than-expected 7 percent global increase in sales at established restaurants in July, fueled by new drinks like smoothies, extended hours in Europe and strength in Asia.

July sales at McDonald's restaurants open at least 13 months rose 5.7 percent in the United States, boosted in large part by its recently launched McCafe Real Fruit Smoothies and Frappes from its McCafe line of drinks.

In Europe, same-restaurant sales rose 5.3 percent, led by sales gains in France, Britain and Germany and by its program to renovate McDonald's restaurants and extend hours in the region.

Same-store sales rose 10.1 percent in the Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) area. The company said Japan, Australia and China were standouts in the region.

Systemwide sales, which include business at all restaurants, rose 6.8 percent, or 8.3 percent on a constant currency basis, the world's biggest hamburger chain reported.

Analysts had looked for a global same-restaurant sales increase closer to 5 percent. Last week, for example, Janney Capital Markets analyst Mark Kalinowski raised his forecast to a rise of 5.1 percent, citing a bullish outlook for sales in Asia and improving trends in the United States.

The company has been stealing market share from rivals like KFC owner Yum Brands Inc , which recently reported flat sales at U.S. restaurants open at least a year.

McDonald's roll-out of espresso-based coffee and other high-margin drinks like Frappes is exceeding the company's goal of adding $125,000 of incremental sales per unit, Chief Operating Officer Don Thompson said in a conference call last month. New fruit smoothies were rolled out in July.

Last month, the chain reported weaker-than-expected sales at established restaurants during its second quarter.

The company's beverage expansion was seen as a direct attack on the core business of coffee shop chain Starbucks Corp , but so far the two companies appear to be appealing to different diners.

McDonald's shares were up 0.9 percent in premarket trading from a close on Friday of $71.74 on the New York Stock Exchange.

(Reporting by Phil Wahba, editing by Dave Zimmerman)