McDonald’s $8.5 Billion plan: Here's what customers may notice first and what's new on the menu, especially for weight watchers

You love a McDonald’s burger, and your kids are always excited to visit the restaurant. Even the US President has always expressed his love for a McDonald’s burger openly. But the next time you place an order at the franchise, you can think about a huge investment the brand is planning to make to bring better service to customers.

According to a USA Today report, an $8.5 billion corporate plan is in the works as McDonald’s wants customers to feel the difference at the counter.

The company plans to support franchisees with about $8.5 billion through 2036. Around $5 billion is expected to arrive by 2030. The money will help restaurants modernize and introduce new technology.


For customers, the potential payoff is straightforward. Orders could arrive faster. Mistakes may become less common.

Restaurants could also feel easier to navigate. Changes will not appear everywhere at once. Each market will decide how and when to introduce them.

Will McDonald’s orders become faster?

As revealed in the report, a part of the McDonald’s $8.5 billion plan is expected to make restaurant operations less complicated.

McDonald’s is expanding technology that checks whether orders contain the correct items. Scales used for order verification are expected to reach about 20,000 restaurants by 2028.

McDonald’s new AI ordering system

Drive-thru customers may also encounter Archy, an AI ordering assistant. The system can take orders in English or Spanish. McDonald’s says it has reached about 90% accuracy during testing.

Archy could save employees around 50 hours of work per restaurant each week. Staff members could then spend more time preparing food or helping customers.

McDonald’s is also introducing ArchIQ. The AI platform can help restaurants manage inventory and employee schedules. Company executives say automation is intended to support workers rather than replace them.

What could appear on McDonald’s new menu?

If you are focusing on a healthy lifestyle, then your favorite restaurant may be planning something for you. The McDonald’s new menu may eventually offer more choices for customers seeking extra protein or smaller portions and who are watching their weight to stay fit.

Ideas under consideration include chicken bowls and burger bowls. McDonald’s is also exploring grilled-chicken snack wraps. Egg bites could give breakfast customers another option.

Grilled chicken may return to the American menu after being removed in 2020. Hand-breaded chicken is also being tested after appearing in several Asian markets.

None of those products has been promised for every US restaurant. McDonald’s is still studying demand.

The company wants to gain more ground in chicken while protecting its lead in burgers. It aims to increase its market share in chicken by 1.5 percentage points by 2030. Beverages have the same target.

Coffee and cold drinks are getting attention

McDonald’s is widening its drink selection through McCafe and you may expect a variety of drinks to enjoy.

Newer options include refreshers and energy drinks. Crafted sodas are also part of the push. The expanded drinks platform has already reached about 18,000 restaurants.

Updated espresso machines should offer customers more ways to personalize coffee. Alternative milk choices are also planned at participating US locations.

A “Gold Standard Coffee” program will focus on fresher beans and improved recipes. McDonald’s serves roughly 8 million cups of coffee each day, according to information presented at its investor event.

Will McDonald’s rewards become more valuable?

McDonald’s plans to replace its current loyalty structure with a tiered system. Frequent visitors could earn points more quickly. They may also receive early access to limited-time food.

Occasional customers could get different offers designed to bring them back. McDonald’s has not yet revealed the tiers or their spending requirements.

FAQs

What is McDonald’s $8.5 billion plan?

McDonald’s will support franchisees with restaurant upgrades and new technology through 2036.

Is McDonald’s launching a new menu?

Several products are being explored, including burger bowls and grilled-chicken wraps. Nationwide launches have not been confirmed.