McDonald’s Is Spending $8.5 Billion. 7 Changes Customers Could See - Newsweek

McDonald’s new growth strategy could mean big changes for diners, from AI technology to menu changes and upgraded play areas.

In August, McDonald’s reported its slowest U.S. sales growth in over a year as customer count declined in what was called a “damning earnings call” at the time.

On Wednesday, the fast food giant announced a plan to get back on top, spending $8.5 billion to support franchisees through 2036 to modernize its restaurants.

“Customers will see a more appealing, modern restaurant experience, including upgraded PlayPlaces, improved dining rooms, more open kitchens with visible McCafé beverage preparation, delivery lockers and improved drive-thru operations. The exact changes and timing will vary by restaurant and market," a McDonald's spokesperson told Newsweek.

McDonald's calls the new growth plan "McDonald's > NEXT,” and as well as making changes behind the scenes, new updates could also mean big changes for customers. Here are seven changes McDonald’s goers could notice.

A new AI ordering system, named Archy, could allow a computer to take orders instead of a human employee.

"Archy is taking live orders in English and Spanish, and we anticipate the majority of the U.S. will have Archy by the end of 2027," McDonald's said.

Another part of the growth plan also mentions AI, with ArchIQ, an AI platform developed with Google that will help with tasks including inventory management, staff scheduling and workflows for staff.

Often called McDelivery or mobile pickup lockers, mobile collection lockers are already in place in many locations for delivery drivers and customers to collect mobile orders.

In the growth plan, McDonald’s specifically listed "lockers to handle delivery orders" among the upgrades it wants to roll out across remodeled stores as it expands delivery and mobile-order infrastructure.

Among suggestions in the new plan are bigger and updated play areas for young visitors.

The first McDonald's PlayPlace opened in Chula Vista, California, in 1971 before spreading to more locations in the '80s and '90s. Many play areas closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the new McDonald’s NEXT plan would give many an upgrade for the future.

Another update comes in the form of menu items as McDonald’s announced it would bring back grilled chicken after discontinuing its grilled chicken sandwich in 2020. New plans would introduce chicken sandwiches and wraps to the U.S. and other markets.

The goal? To make 1.5 percentage points of market share gains in chicken by 2030—all while maintaining its leading position with beef.

Skye Anderson, the president of McDonald’s USA, said approximately 30 million Americans are now using GLP-1 weight loss drugs, and they’re seeking smaller, more protein-packed meals as a result.

“This is an opportunity. We need to keep giving them more reasons to make McDonald’s their first choice,” Anderson said during a recent investor day.

Another market area the fast food giant plans to move into is beverages. McCafé will expand to offer more than just coffee, with refreshers, energy drinks and crafted sodas becoming available at more than 18,000 restaurants.

Meanwhile, new coffee machines will give customers more options for hot drinks, including milk alternatives.

Another way McDonald’s is looking to improve its offering is with new employee training that will focus on hospitality and food quality.

Training will involve everything from cooking the perfect Big Mac to creating more pleasant interactions with customers.

The fast food giant has also announced a new tiered rewards system designed to keep customers coming back.

The new rewards program will give frequent visitors faster points earning, early access to new menu items and invitations to events.

MyMcDonald's Rewards launched nationwide on July 8, 2021, giving customers points when they shop and free food when they hit certain point thresholds.

The new system will favor frequent visitors, but also offer special comeback rewards and personalized incentives to customers who have not visited in a while.