McDonald’s is embracing AI to usher in a new era of efficiency in 2026.
The global fast-food chain is rolling out AI across its restaurants to improve efficiency, order accuracy and drive-thru experience for customers and staff.
“We’ve got a number of teams looking at how we can use AI to deliver an even better experience for our customers and for our crew members,” Chris Kempczinski, CEO of McDonald’s, told Technology Magazine.
According to the publication, McDonald’s has been working closely with Google Cloud since 2023 to integrate its hardware and AI applications across restaurants globally.
The partnership has introduced new features to improve customer engagement, including updates to the mobile app and self-service kiosks.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, McDonald’s CIO Brian Rice said AI has the potential to alleviate stress for the chain’s crew by transforming interactions with customers and internal operations.
With help from Google’s Edge computing platform McDonald’s will employ smart devices throughout the restaurant’s kitchens, according to reports from Mashed.
Introducing AI accuracy scales
To increase customer satisfaction and ensure customers go home with what they ordered, McDonald’s will implement an AI-powered system called Accuracy Scales, supported by Edge.
The system weighs orders to determine if they meet a target weight, ensuring customers receive the correct items.
AI voice bots for ordering
McDonald’s is seeking to implement an AI system powered by Google Cloud in its drive-thrus to take orders. The voice-activated AI chatbots will reduce pressure on drive-thru staff and speed up service times for waiting customers.
The chain previously attempted to implement an AI program with IBM in 2021, but it fell through due to accuracy and reliability issues.
Adding more drive-thru lanes
With more than 27,000 drive-thru locations, the chain is enhancing its drive-thru layout, McDonald’s announced back in 2023. This includes creating additional lanes to add more capacity leading to speedier service.
McDonald’s expects these projected upgrades to be completed by 2027. Many locations are already seeing multi-lane drive-thrus, according to Mashed.
Expanding Ready on Arrival
To boost drive-thru speeds, McDonald’s is expanding its Ready on Arrival program. The geofencing-powered system in the McDonald’s mobile app that detects when the customer is nearby. When the customer is close, the system alerts the kitchen crew so they can assemble the order before the customer arrives at the restaurant.
The program will grow key markets in the U.S., Japan and the U.K to ensure faster service for customers.