McDonald’s is undertaking its largest operational transformation in decades, remaking 27,000 drive-thrus with artificial intelligence, deploying 8,000 new restaurants globally this year, and phasing out cash transactions as pennies disappear from circulation.
While the fast-food giant promises AI will ease worker stress and improve customer experiences, the implications for 2 million employees remain unclear, setting up the first big change.
The Golden Arches Go Digital
McDonald’s is executing its boldest technology push ever, beginning this year with artificial intelligence transforming operations across nearly all its restaurants worldwide. The initiative spans from kitchen equipment to drive-thru windows, loyalty platforms, and management tools. The company is investing billions to position itself as tech-forward. Yet the workforce question is already hovering.
What Exactly Is Changing
Starting this year, McDonald’s will implement internet-connected kitchen equipment, AI-enabled drive-thru systems, and AI-powered management tools across approximately 43,000 restaurants worldwide. The company is simultaneously opening 8,000 new restaurants globally by the end of this year. Drive-thru lanes at 27,000 locations are being upgraded, raising a new math problem.
The Numbers Behind The Expansion
This expansion aims for 50,000 global locations by 2027, an aggressive jump from today’s footprint. The 27,000 drive-thru upgrade touches hundreds of thousands of workers, while 69 million daily customers will feel the difference. If speed and accuracy rise, how many roles still need humans?
AI Takes Over The Drive-Thru
McDonald’s partnership with Google Cloud, begun in 2023, is deploying artificial intelligence to transform drive-thru ordering. Voice-powered AI chatbots will take orders, potentially reducing the need for human workers at ordering windows. After an earlier IBM test ended in July 2024, the company is betting this attempt sticks.
“Our Restaurants Can Be Very Stressful”
McDonald’s Chief Information Officer Brian Rice explained the reasoning behind the AI overhaul: “Our restaurants, frankly, can be very stressful. We have customers at the counter, we have customers at our drive-through, couriers coming in for delivery, delivery at curbside.” He says “Technology solutions will alleviate the stress,” but does it also shrink staffing?
Accuracy Scales Catch Mistakes Fast
McDonald’s is deploying “Accuracy Scales” across drive-thrus, kiosks, and delivery channels in a dozen markets. AI-powered scales weigh orders and flag missing items before customers receive meals.
In pilots across 400 restaurants, service times fell 27 seconds and throughput rose 10%. That efficiency may quietly change scheduling.
Massive Global Expansion Underway
McDonald’s plans to open more than 8,000 new restaurants globally by the end of this year, pushing toward 50,000 total by 2027. In the United States, it plans 900 additional locations by 2027.
The company expects to increase investment by $300 million to $500 million annually through 2027, and automation is likely built in.
Beyond Burgers, A Menu Makeover
McDonald’s is testing specialty beverages inspired by CosMc’s at more than 500 locations, including Creamy Vanilla Cold Brew and Strawberry Watermelon Refresher. It is also pushing McCrispy chicken, new wraps, and upgraded sandwiches.
The “Better Burger Initiative” focuses on fresher ingredients and preparation standards, but the biggest change may be how customers pay.
“Tremendous Opportunity” In Digital Growth
Brian Rice laid out the vision: “We see tremendous opportunity for growth in our digital business and our partnership with Google Cloud allows us to capitalize on this by leveraging our size and scale to build capabilities and implement solutions at unmatched speeds.” He said more data points make models smarter and restaurants easier to operate, which points to the next pressure point.
The End Of Pennies, The Rise Of Digital
The U.S. Treasury halted penny production earlier this year, forcing retailers to adjust. Some McDonald’s locations now round cash transactions up or down to the nearest 5 cents when customers lack exact change.
The company emphasized this rounding applies only to cash, nudging more customers toward cards and the app, where data becomes valuable.
Pricing Standards Now Enforced Nationally
McDonald’s introduced a new value provision to its global franchising standards, requiring franchisees to maintain competitive pricing aligned with corporate expectations. Franchisees still set local prices, but McDonald’s will now “holistically assess” pricing decisions.
The National Owners Association warned “price independence” is a “long-time shared principle.” Could tighter controls collide with local labor realities?
Loyalty Program Reaching Unprecedented Scale
MyMcDonald’s Rewards hit 185 million active users by mid-year, with a target of 250 million by 2027. Loyalty members more than double visit frequency in their first year, making them highly valuable.
Loyalty sales generated $30 billion in 2024, up 30%, and McDonald’s is aiming for $45 billion by 2027, powered by AI personalization.
“We Have A Team Actively Working”
McDonald’s addressed the penny disruption in a statement: “Following the discontinuation of pennies nationwide, some McDonald’s locations may not be able to provide exact change.” It added, “We have a team actively working on long-term solutions to keep things simple and fair for customers.” The company said it will work with the federal government, but workers are watching other changes more closely.
Worker Stress Meets Displacement Fears
McDonald’s says AI eases stress, yet the World Economic Forum estimates AI could displace up to 92 million jobs worldwide by 2030, with food service among vulnerable sectors. McDonald’s employs 2 million workers globally.
Studies suggest 10% to 80% of restaurant positions could be reshaped or replaced, leaving a gap between promises and risk.
Preparing Workers For An Uncertain Future
Experts argue companies should create training pathways so displaced workers move into technical or supervisory roles. McDonald’s pilots show AI training reduced onboarding readiness from 85 to 64 hours and saved about $115 per new hire.
Instant procedure answers cut question time from 6.4 minutes to 1.8 minutes, but where is the broader retraining plan?
Industry-Wide Technology Race Intensifies
Wendy’s deployed FreshAI across 100 drive-thru locations and plans 500 by year-end. Taco Bell uses voice AI, while Chipotle uses “Ava Cado” for hiring and “Autocado” for guacamole preparation.
Starbucks runs “Deep Brew” recommendations and “My Starbucks Barista.” With 62% of restaurant leaders citing AI advantage, competitive pressure is tightening.
“Innovation Won’t Come Without A Cost”
A TweakTown analysis put it plainly: “While it will take time before we see the effects on staffing, one thing is clear—innovation won’t come without a cost.” The line captures the unease around automation in fast food.
Even when framed as stress relief, efficiency often changes headcount decisions, and other chains are offering clues.
What Other Fast-Food Chains Are Learning
Papa John’s launched a voice and text AI ordering agent powered by Google’s Gemini, operating across apps, websites, phone orders, kiosks, and in-car systems. It expects a nationwide rollout by year-end.
Yum! Brands partnered with NVIDIA in March 2025 to deploy AI tools across 61,000+ restaurants, starting with 500 by mid-year, raising a larger question.
The Next Chapter Unfolds Now
By 2027, McDonald’s plans 50,000 restaurants and 250 million loyalty members, with AI embedded in drive-thrus, kitchens, and management tools. Worker safety nets like training, wage guarantees, or transition support remain largely undefined.
The company’s stress-relief narrative will be tested as these systems scale, and the outcome could shape fast-food jobs for years.
Sources
As Pennies Phase Out of US Currency, McDonald’s Updates Cash Payment. ABC News, November 2025
McDonald’s Bets on AI in 2026 to Fix a Major Problem. TheStreet, March 2025
McDonald’s Technology Overhaul Report. The Wall Street Journal, March 5, 2025
McDonald’s Plans Massive Overhaul With Major Changes to Restaurants. Fox Business, January 2026
Fast-Food Restaurants Use New Technology to Change How Customers Order. Fox News, January 2026
The Future of Jobs Report 2025. World Economic Forum, January 2025