McDonald's pledges $8.5 billion through 2036 to support franchisees in modernizing restaurants and deploying technology, with $5 billion allocated by 2030. The "McDonald's Next" strategy aims to improve food quality, personalize customer experiences, and streamline operations using AI, targeting 1.5 percentage points of market share growth in chicken and beverages by 2030.
McDonald's announced new financial targets and a comprehensive growth strategy called McDonald's > NEXT, which includes restaurant remodels, AI-powered operating systems, and employee training to improve food quality. The company plans to invest up to $8.5 billion through 2036 to support franchisees' upgrades, while targeting operating margins in the low-to-mid 50% range by 2030 and expanding globally through new locations and non-beef menu items.
McDonald's is hosting an investor day in Chicago to detail its McDonald's > NEXT growth strategy aimed at reversing weak U.S. business performance, focusing on value offerings, improved food quality including hand-breaded chicken, and expanded beverage options. The company faces investor skepticism after its stock fell 18% over the past year and same-store sales grew just 0.8%, with franchisee cooperation on pricing proving critical to the turnaround.