
Federal Suit Challenges McDonald's AI Pricing Tool as Antitrust Violation
A proposed class-action lawsuit filed in federal court in Chicago alleges that McDonald's violates U.S. antitrust laws by using an AI-driven pricing tool to coordinate menu prices across its U.S. franchise network. The plaintiffs argue that the system, which analyzes nonpublic transaction data from approximately 14,000 locations, reduces competition among independently owned restaurants. McDonald's denies these claims, stating that the tool only provides recommendations and that franchisees retain final authority over pricing decisions.



