McDonald’s testing a major change to the drive-thru

McDonald’s is piloting an artificial intelligence-based drive-thru ordering system called ArchIQ at five U.S. locations. The voice-activated system, nicknamed Archy, processes orders in English and Spanish, according to a demo shared by a franchisee on X. The company plans to roll out technology upgrades across all U.S. restaurants in preparation for wider adoption. This marks McDonald’s second attempt at AI-driven drive-thru service, following the abandonment of a 2024 partnership with IBM. The earlier system was tested in 100 locations before being discontinued. The new ArchIQ system is part of the company’s broader 'McDonald’s > NEXT' initiative, aimed at increasing customer visits and improving efficiency. CEO Chris Kempczinski stated that the strategy focuses on 'unlocking the next phase of growth and productivity.' While menu changes to 'elevate taste and quality' are also under consideration, specific details remain unspecified. The franchisee behind the demo, posting on the popular account McFranchisee, confirmed the technology’s role in modernizing drive-thru operations.