Domain: tiger-web1.srvr.media3.us AI coming to a McDonald's near you | O-T Lounge
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AI coming to a McDonald's near you

Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:26 am
Posted by Kinderman
Member since Oct 2023
1219 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:26 am
To the surprise of no one.

quote:

McDonald's, in partnership with Google, will introduce AI across all stores, aiming to improve order accuracy, staff efficiency and customer satisfaction

McDonald's is on the verge of a new era which will see the global fast-food giant introduce AI to its 43,000 outlets worldwide.

The aim? To boost order accuracy, customer satisfaction and employee productivity.

“Everybody's talking about AI,” says Chris Kempczinski, CEO of McDonald's. "We've got a number of teams looking at how we can use AI to deliver an even better experience for our customers and for our crew members."

quote:

The company is exploring the integration of voice AI technology in its drive-throughs and kiosks. A prior collaboration with IBM tested automated order taking systems at drive-through locations, although the tests were plagued by challenges.

Now, shifting focus to accuracy and reliability, McDonald's is delving into computer vision capabilities.

Computer vision will use in-store cameras to verify the accuracy of orders before they reach the customer.

Brian also hinted at how the company is looking to create a “generative AI virtual manager” that will take on administrative tasks to ease the burden on store managers.

quote:

“Our restaurants, frankly, can be very stressful,” he said. “We have customers at the counter, we have customers at our drive-through, couriers coming in for delivery at curbside.

“That's a lot to deal with for our crew,” said Brian. “Technology solutions will alleviate the stress.”

He detailed the simultaneous demands of in-store customers, drive-through services and delivery operations, acknowledging the pressure placed on staff.

AI's role extends beyond customer service – behind the scenes, it's set to revolutionise McDonald's maintenance and operational efficiencies as well.

The chain plans to equip vital kitchen appliances, such as fryers and McFlurry machines, with sensors.

In theory, these AI-powered sensors will facilitate predictive maintenance and notify staff about potential equipment failures, ensuring proactive problem management before operational impacts occur.

LINK

McRobots taking us into the future.
This post was edited on 1/14/26 at 11:27 am
Posted by TheGeauxt9
South Louisiana
Member since May 2021
453 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:27 am to
But will it fix the ice cream machines?
Posted by Ozarkshillbilly
Missouri Ozarks
Member since Apr 2025
465 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:28 am to
Employees should ask for $50 per hour now...
Posted by DustyDinkleman
Here
Member since Feb 2012
19490 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:29 am to
quote:

these AI-powered sensors will facilitate predictive maintenance


How long before they disable the “ice cream machine is broken” prompt?
Posted by madamsquirrel
The big somewhere out there
Member since Jul 2009
55339 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:30 am to
I am going to wait for Popeyes AI to tell me to pull up for spicy.
Posted by W2NOMO
Member since Jul 2025
1921 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:30 am to
But employees will still be able to spit in food no? Or will that go to AI too?
Posted by fightin tigers
Downtown Prairieville
Member since Mar 2008
76694 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:31 am to
Ai bubble is going to pop so hard
Posted by Harry Caray
Denial
Member since Aug 2009
20529 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:33 am to
quote:

aiming to improve order accuracy
quote:

staff efficiency
So increasing prices while paying fewer employees, got it
quote:

customer satisfaction
Posted by Harry Caray
Denial
Member since Aug 2009
20529 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:34 am to


Of course it's a no-lip having douchebag pushing this shite
Posted by awestruck
Member since Jan 2015
13522 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:37 am to
I can more easily see AI helping with the order taking part of the drive thru.
Posted by Midget Death Squad
Meme Magic
Member since Oct 2008
28281 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:38 am to
I can't wait till AI and Robots are running McDs. Get my food to me fast and correct.



Can we get this at a Popeyes please?
Posted by Auburntiger
BTR area
Member since Mar 2005
14527 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:38 am to
quote:


I can more easily see AI helping with the order taking part of the drive thru.


Taco Bell already utilizes AI in their drive thru - my experience so far with it has been positive
Posted by HoustonGumbeauxGuy
Member since Jul 2011
32903 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:39 am to
Can’t be any worse than the McDonald’s right by my house I stop in from time to time for the delicious hashbrowns + sausage and cheese biscuit


the lady that takes my very simple order, as nice as she can be, barely speaks English and fricks my order more often than not... she often rings up the sausage, egg and cheese biscuit, I don’t want any egg on my biscuit and was very clear when I said “sausage biscuit with cheese”. Since that particular biscuit is not one of the enumerated breakfast value meals, she can’t wrap her head around how to put it into the system.

On top of that, they insist that I use this nasty filthy kiosk that clearly hasn’t been wiped down or cleaned in a week, and pitch a fit when I actually want to order through them. When I explained that I just wanted to order through them, they offered to teach me how to use the kiosk, I’d politely explain. I’m not there to learn a fricking computer system. I’m there to order some hot food.

The last time I went there, I went and sat down with my little number, and instead of bringing the food on my table on a tray, they held my bag up behind the counter and was screaming at my order number, it’s like they’re too lazy to even bring your your own food anymore

When I told her that I had requested for dine in, she told me “oh well he rang it up as to go”… didn’t apologize or offer to put it on a tray or anything else, she literally just set my bag on the counter and walked off

Obviously, I need to lower my expectations on what type of service I’m getting at McDonald’s, but if you look at how progressively shitty it’s gotten over the years… this AI movement comes as no surprise, customer service is at an all-time low
This post was edited on 1/14/26 at 11:44 am
Posted by LanierSpots
Sarasota, Florida
Member since Sep 2010
70268 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:40 am to
quote:

I can more easily see AI helping with the order taking part of the drive thru.



OUr Checkers has it. Ive used it a few times and it is very simple and gets the order correct every time.


Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
33097 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:40 am to
Our local Wendy's has this. I will say that Kiosk ordering is >>>>>>> AI drive thru ordering.
Posted by BregmansWheelbarrow
Member since Mar 2020
3132 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:47 am to
Taco Bell has had AI drive thru for a while here. I really like it. Order is always right on the screen. Humans putting the order together is the issue
Posted by Melkor
Member since Sep 2022
209 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:48 am to
Going to have some fun with this. "I'd like a cheeseburger with no cheese, hold the bun, no meat, extra ketchip and mustard, grilled raw onions on the side of the window."
Posted by Lsuhoohoo
Member since Sep 2007
102066 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:53 am to
quote:

I can more easily see AI helping with the order taking part of the drive thru.



Then you get stuck behind some tik tocker who wants to test the AI so they order 57 quarter pounders, half of them with no pickles, add extra ketchup on 25 of those. 9,000 mcnuggets extra crispy. And a large diet Rite.
Posted by Bestbank Tiger
Premium Member
Member since Jan 2005
79643 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:54 am to
quote:

But will it fix the ice cream machines?


quote:

The shake machine at McDonald's is often reported as "broken", but this is frequently due to a combination of factors beyond actual mechanical failure.

Cleaning and Maintenance: The machines require extensive cleaning—sometimes taking up to three hours—and are often shut down for heat treatment cycles or scheduled deep cleans. Employees may say it's "broken" rather than explain the lengthy cleaning process.

Automated Lockouts: Modern machines have sensors that prevent use if they fail food safety checks (e.g., temperature or sanitation cycles). If a machine fails a check, it locks out until cleaned or the cycle completes, even if it's functioning properly.

Operational Decisions: Some franchise owners choose not to repair machines due to high service costs, especially when the manufacturer's service company charges exorbitant fees. This leads to long-term downtime.

Employee Behavior: In some cases, staff avoid using the machine because it's time-consuming to assemble in the morning or clean at closing, especially if they're short-staffed.

App Verification: The website McBroken.com tracks real-time availability by testing orders. If an item is unavailable, it likely means the machine is either down or in a cleaning cycle.

In short, while some machines are genuinely broken, many are temporarily unavailable due to maintenance, cleaning, or operational decisions—not permanent failure.




Posted by LSUfan4444
Member since Mar 2004
56809 posts
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:54 am to
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