McDonald’s Fired Its AI. Now It’s Back With Google’s.
McDonald’s Fired Its AI. Now It’s Back With Google’s.
https://www.pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/2026/mcdonalds-fired-ai-now-its-back-with-googl/
Publish Date: 2026-06-12 21:16:00
Source Domain: www.pymnts.com
- McDonald’s has introduced ArchIQ, a Google-powered AI ordering system, already processing over 1 million orders with 90% completed without employee intervention.
- The AI is running tests in five U.S. locations as part of a broader growth strategy called McDonald’s > NEXT, focusing on menu upgrades, restaurant design, and operational efficiency.
- The company aims to enhance drive-thru efficiency, which accounts for 70% of U.S. sales, using ArchIQ to improve order accuracy, throughput speed, and reduce employee intervention.
- McDonald’s has previously ended a partnership with IBM over issues with automation, including misunderstanding accents and generating incorrect orders.
- ArchIQ offers both ordering and management support capabilities, helping operators to identify bottlenecks and manage daily performance.
