McDonald's US turnaround strategy 2026
One page that accretes the verified record as the story develops. Every fact keeps its date and its sources.
McDonald's CEO expects high inflation and lackluster traffic to persist
Chris Kempczinski reiterated that McDonald's believes it erred by raising prices too quickly after the Covid pandemic.
Chris Kempczinski said that beef costs have nearly doubled over the last five years in McDonald's biggest markets.
From August 2025 to July 2026, industry operators surveyed by the National Restaurant Association reported a net decline in customer traffic in every month but one.
“One of the things I've talked to our team about is we need to stop talking about that being a difficult environment, and just say that is the environment,”
McDonald's announces major spending on restaurant upgrades and training
By 2030, McDonald's anticipates new restaurants will account for only about 2% of growth to system-wide sales.
McDonald's announced new financial targets for higher operating margins, a training program to improve food quality, and plans to support franchisees financially as they invest in their restaurants.
The pillars of McDonald's NEXT plan include a new restaurant design, better-tasting food and drinks, consumer-led innovation, and improved hospitality from employees.
McDonald's invests in hand-breaded chicken and AI drive-throughs
Deploying McDonald's productivity improvements will cost franchise operators around $650,000 to $750,000 per restaurant in international markets.
McDonald's shares have declined 18% year to date.
Deploying McDonald's productivity improvements will cost franchise operators an additional $800,000 per US restaurant.
McDonald's announces $8.5B investment in restaurant revamps and franchise support
ArchIQ is a Google-powered artificial intelligence operating system that will handle drive-thru orders and backend management.
Global systemwide sales for McDonald's topped $139 billion in 2025, according to Franchise Times Top 400 data.
McDonald's systemwide sales grew 4 percent during the second quarter compared to a year ago, and comparable sales were up 1.3 percent.
McDonald's moves into the advertising business
Amazon reported $68.6 billion in advertising service sales in 2025.
In August, 450 of McDonald's company-owned U.S. restaurants began displaying advertising for other companies on digital drive-thru order boards as part of a pilot.
McDonald's announced plans to create its own media network on Wednesday.
McDonald's hosts investor day amid US business struggles
McDonald's has wound down CosMc's, its drink-focused spinoff.
Only about two-thirds of McDonald's U.S. franchisees implemented its recent under $3 menu, according to executives in August.
Skye Anderson was tapped as president of McDonald's U.S. business in the wake of the weak quarter.