Archive · 24 Sep 2026
McDonald's Plans $8.5 Billion Modernization With Chicken, AI
McDonald's wants to spend $8.5 billion to improve its restaurants around the world.
It plans to use more technology to help workers manage orders, supplies, and schedules.
A drive-thru system called Archy can take orders in English and Spanish.
The company says the technology is meant to help employees, not eliminate jobs.
McDonald's is also testing hand-breaded chicken and planning more protein-focused foods.
Some restaurants will get bigger play areas, better kitchens, and lockers for delivery orders.
The company wants to offer value because some customers are eating fast food less often.
Franchise owners will have to pay more for the changes, although McDonald's will provide some financial support.
Investors were concerned about the size of the spending plan, and McDonald's shares fell sharply.
McDonald's will spend $8.5 billion over the next decade to modernize its roughly 46,000 restaurants worldwide.
The company plans to expand hand-breaded chicken testing, add grilled chicken products, and explore egg bites and bowls.
Artificial-intelligence tools will automate tasks such as inventory management, scheduling, and drive-thru ordering.
Restaurant upgrades will include delivery lockers, larger play areas, improved kitchens, coffee displays, and order-accuracy scales.
U.S. franchisees will contribute an additional $800,000 over time, while McDonald's says efficiency gains could provide about $100,000 in annual cash-flow benefits per restaurant.
- Who
- McDonald's, its executives, franchisees, employees, customers, and investors.
- What
- McDonald's announced a $8.5 billion, decade-long global restaurant modernization and product expansion plan.
- When
- The plan was announced Wednesday and will be phased in over the next decade, with some technology targets set for 2028.
- Where
- McDonald's restaurants worldwide, including the United States, Asia, Ireland, and the Chicago area.
- Why
- The company wants to improve productivity, compete for customers in a flat fast-food market, improve order accuracy, and respond to demand for value and higher-protein foods.
McDonald's Growth Case
Investor and Franchisee Concerns
Modernization spending
McDonald's Growth Case
McDonald's says the investment is needed to improve restaurant productivity, compete for demand, and generate future efficiency gains.
Investor and Franchisee Concerns
Investors reacted negatively to the size of the plan, and the company's shares fell 5% during Wednesday trading.
Automation and staffing
McDonald's Growth Case
McDonald's says artificial intelligence can improve order accuracy and free employees for hospitality and food-preparation tasks rather than reduce staffing.
Investor and Franchisee Concerns
The potential to save at least 50 labor hours per week at a typical restaurant raises concerns about how automation could affect work, even though the company says staffing reductions are not the goal.
Franchisee costs
McDonald's Growth Case
McDonald's says rent relief and capital support will help franchisees fund the required upgrades, which could eventually produce about $100,000 in annual cash-flow benefits per average U.S. restaurant.
Investor and Franchisee Concerns
U.S. franchisees will face an additional estimated $800,000 in spending over time, on top of their typical remodeling costs.
- Total investment
- $8.5 billion over the next decade
- Restaurant network
- Approximately 46,000 McDonald's restaurants globally
- Hand-breaded chicken testing
- About 10,000 restaurants in Asia plus several near Chicago
- Order-accuracy scales
- Currently used at 10,000 restaurants globally; planned for 20,000 by 2028
- Archy accuracy
- The AI-enabled drive-thru ordering system takes English and Spanish orders with a reported 90% accuracy rate
- Franchisee cost
- U.S. franchisees will spend an additional $800,000 over time, with support from McDonald's
- Projected restaurant benefit
- About $100,000 in annual cash-flow benefits for the average U.S. restaurant after investments are made