Major U.S. consumer-staple, food and restaurant companies are seeing substantial increases in overseas revenue that are outpacing slowing domestic sales. Big-name American consumer brands from Kraft Heinz to Colgate-Palmolive are delivering solid growth lately—outside the U.S.

For food and beverage chains like Starbucks and KFC, overseas markets offer more runway for new stores that can bolster sales. Meanwhile, sales of everyday items from napkins to salad bowls are slowing in the U.S. as American customers, squeezed by inflation and worried about the economy, spend more selectively, company executives say.

"Consumers are clearly under increased pressure," said Mike Hsu, chief executive of Kimberly-Clark, the maker of Huggies diapers and Scott paper towels, on an earnings call last week.