McDonald’s is integrating artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology across its 43,000 restaurants worldwide to enhance equipment management, boost order accuracy, and improve both customer satisfaction and employee efficiency. Last month, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski took to Instagram to highlight three key trends shaping the fast food industry in 2025. At the forefront of these trends is artificial intelligence.
“Everybody’s talking about AI,” Kempczinski stated, emphasizing how McDonald’s sees multiple applications for this technology. “We have several teams exploring ways to leverage AI to deliver a superior experience for our customers and crew members.”
This week, McDonald’s Chief Information Officer Brian Rice expanded on these plans, revealing to The Wall Street Journal how AI-powered tools will improve managerial efficiency, enhance kitchen operations through edge computing, and drive greater order accuracy.
According to Rice, AI will play a crucial role in improving restaurant workflows by tackling common challenges such as incorrect orders and equipment malfunctions.
“Our restaurants can be very stressful environments,” he explained. “We have customers at the counter, drive-through, curbside pickups, and couriers arriving for deliveries—all happening simultaneously. Technology can help alleviate some of that pressure.”
One major area of improvement will be predictive maintenance. McDonald’s plans to install AI-driven sensors on kitchen equipment like fryers and McFlurry ice cream machines to monitor performance and detect early signs of wear and tear. This proactive approach will help prevent breakdowns before they occur, ensuring smoother operations.
Additionally, AI will provide real-time supply monitoring and offer franchisees a comprehensive view of restaurant performance. By analyzing this data, AI-driven insights can streamline operations and boost overall efficiency.
“If we can address issues before they escalate, we’re setting the stage for smoother, more efficient operations in the long run,” Rice noted.
AI-Driven Customer Experience Upgrades
McDonald’s is also enhancing the customer experience with AI-driven technologies, including voice AI at drive-throughs and self-service kiosks.
While the company previously experimented with voice-activated order-taking in collaboration with IBM in 2021, the initiative was discontinued in 2024 due to accuracy issues—one infamous glitch resulted in an order mistakenly including nine sweet teas.
Now, McDonald’s is turning to computer vision technology, a form of AI that powers facial recognition. This system will use in-store cameras to verify order accuracy before handing meals to customers, reducing errors and improving service speed.
Looking ahead, McDonald’s is also developing a “generative AI virtual manager” to handle administrative tasks, easing the burden on store managers and allowing them to focus on core operations.
Collaboration with Google Cloud
McDonald’s has been investing in edge computing to power its AI initiatives. Since 2023, the company has worked closely with Google Cloud to accelerate digital innovation and enhance both employee and customer experiences.
This partnership enables McDonald’s to implement new technologies across its mobile app, self-service kiosks, and in-restaurant operations. Leveraging Google Cloud’s high-performance edge computing infrastructure, McDonald’s can optimize real-time data processing, minimize disruptions, and streamline business complexity.
Announcing the collaboration in December 2023, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian stated:
“Through this wide-ranging partnership, Google Cloud will help McDonald’s seize new opportunities to transform its business and customer experiences, empowering restaurants worldwide with the latest technologies.”
The Fast Food Industry’s AI Revolution
McDonald’s is not alone in adopting AI to reshape fast food. In March 2025, Yum Brands—the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut—announced a $1 billion investment in digital and AI technologies.
At a recent investor event, Yum Brands executives introduced their “Byte by Yum” AI-powered management tools, including an AI-driven coaching system designed to enhance restaurant operations.
Taco Bell, in particular, has significantly expanded its use of AI-powered voice technology for drive-through orders, increasing deployment from 100 locations in mid-2024 to over 500 restaurants across the U.S.
By integrating AI across its operations, McDonald’s is setting a new standard for efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. From predictive maintenance and AI-powered ordering systems to generative AI assistants, the company is embracing technology to transform the dining experience.
As the fast food industry rapidly evolves, AI is proving to be a game-changer, driving both operational excellence and enhanced customer engagement. With continued innovation, McDonald’s and its competitors are shaping the future of quick-service restaurants worldwide.
