McDonald’s outlines $8.5 billion plan for restaurant upgrades and AI tools
publishers 6articles 7first reported 23 Sep, 17:09 UTCdeveloping since 23 Sep · 4 editions
McDonald’s outlined plans to support restaurant renovations, deploy artificial intelligence tools and introduce other changes under its McDonald’s > NEXT growth strategy, as the company seeks to revive sluggish U.S. sales.
The company said it could spend as much as $8.5 billion through 2036 to accelerate franchisees’ investments, including about $5 billion through 2030. McDonald’s also projects an additional $1.5 billion to $2 billion in capital spending from 2027 through 2030, on top of roughly $3 billion in typical annual expenditures.
The new restaurant design includes updated PlayPlaces, more open kitchens and areas where customers can watch McCafé drinks being prepared. A broader package called Restaurant > NEXT will add equipment, technology and operational improvements. Its planned ArchIQ operating system includes an AI order-taking assistant called “Archy,” which the company says can serve customers in English and Spanish and save about 50 labor hours per restaurant each week. Other tools are intended to manage inventory, schedule shifts and check order accuracy.
McDonald’s said the added investments could cost about $800,000 per restaurant beyond standard remodeling expenses, with the company providing some financial support through capital and rent relief.
Executives also discussed a company media network and efforts to appeal to customers using GLP-1 medications. CEO Chris Kempczinski said McDonald’s expects inflation and flat overall restaurant traffic to persist. Shares fell about 6% in afternoon trading following the presentation at the company’s Chicago headquarters.
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