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McDonald’s is bringing more AI into its restaurants. Precisely, this time the drive-thru is at the center of the move. The company recently announced that AI ordering system, Archy, can now take orders in English and Spanish with 90% accuracy. According to the reports, this could save at least 50 labor hours a week at a typical restaurant. McDonald’s CFO Ian Borden said the company does not plan to use the system to reduce its staff. Instead, workers could spend that saved time on other tasks.
Additionally, the company is using ArchIQ, an AI system built with Google, to support restaurant operations. This system is designed to improve order accuracy, along with other tasks like inventory management and staff scheduling. McDonald’s wider plan includes spending USD 8.5 billion over the next decade to upgrade its restaurants. The company is also adding new delivery lockers, kitchen changes, and larger play areas.
The CEO of the company, Chris Kempczinski, mentioned that customers have given positive impressions of Archy as it saves their time and improves order accuracy. Also, he added that the company’s strategy isn’t centered on treating technology as good or bad. Instead, it is focused on the fact that how the technology is implemented.
The drive-thru is a clear place for AI to help. Taking orders can be repetitive, especially during busy hours. Archy can handle that part while employees focus on preparing food, helping customers, and keeping the restaurant moving.
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McDonald’s approach is less about removing people and more about changing where their time goes. The company says AI can take care of routine work while employees handle jobs that need direct attention.
McDonald’s is also expanding its use of technology in other areas. Order-accuracy scales are already used in 10,000 restaurants, with plans to reach 20,000 locations by 2028.
Archy and ArchIQ show how AI is moving from trials to everyday restaurant work. For McDonald’s, the real value may come from making small tasks faster while giving employees more time for the work customers actually notice.
