McDonald’s plans to open 10,000 new restaurants worldwide by 2027 in what the fast-food chain is calling the “fastest period of growth” in the brand’s history, while also announcing a partnership with Google to automate restaurants using artificial intelligence.
McDonald’s expects nearly 2% growth in system-wide sales thanks to the new restaurants, according to a press release.
A McDonald’s public relations representative told CBS that 900 new restaurants will be opened in the United States (U.S.), with the rest opening around the world.
The company also plans to revamp part of its menu, introducing the “Best Burger Initiative” – to improve the quality of its burgers – in almost all markets by 2026. It will invest more in its growing chicken business by expanding McCrispy chicken sandwiches to all markets by 2025.
The chain says it hopes to use generative artificial intelligence to accelerate its investment in automation at its locations and help employees solve problems faster.
McDonald’s will thus have 50,000 restaurants in operation by 2027, if everything goes according to plan.
The announcement came at McDonald’s Investor Day on Wednesday. According to the Associated Press, Manu Steijaert, McDonald’s chief customer officer, said it took 33 years for the company to open its first 10,000 restaurants and then 18 years to grow from 30,000 to 40,000.
As for McDonald’s new investment in artificial intelligence, it’s the latest sign of the company’s growing interest in automation. In December, the company unveiled its first fully automated test store, where orders were placed at a kiosk and delivered using a conveyor belt. The move drew mixed reactions on social media, with some expressing concern over whether the technology would affect people’s jobs.
McDonald’s claims that the automated services will help their human kitchen staff to serve customers more efficiently. Other fast food chains are also investing in artificial intelligence – Wendy’s tested an AI chatbot that helped customers place orders at the drive-thru line earlier this year.
The announcement did not include details on the secretive new CosMc project, a McDonald’s spinoff restaurant that is expected to open a limited number of locations in early 2024. While little is known about the new concept’s menu, it is expected to focus on specialty drinks and may aim for competition other beverage-focused chains like Starbucks, Forbes writes.
E.Dz.
