McDonald's Unveils $8.5B Franchise Support Plan to Pivot Toward Chicken and AI
McDonald's has detailed its 'NEXT' growth strategy, committing up to $8.5 billion to support franchisees with equipment upgrades and an AI operating system called 'ArchIQ' by 2036. The company aims to lift operating margins to the low-to-mid 50% range by 2030 and expand its global market share in chicken and beverages by 1.5 percentage points each. A new employee training program, 'Make It Golden,' launches on October 5 to improve food quality and service, while the chain seeks to offset rising beef costs by emphasizing chicken and digital ordering.