McDonald’s shares fell 5% after the announcement of a massive modernization for $8.5 billion
McDonald’s has announced that it will invest $8.5 billion in the next decade to upgrade 46,000 restaurants worldwide. After that, the company's shares fell almost 5%, which was the largest percentage drop since April 2025, according to the Associated Press.
McDonald’s has announced that it will invest $8.5 billion in the next decade to upgrade 46,000 restaurants worldwide. After that, the company's shares fell almost 5%, which was the largest percentage drop since April 2025, according to the Associated Press. Investors were shocked by the scale and cost of updating the network.
The modernization includes the installation of special lockers for issuing orders to couriers, updating kitchens, expanding children's play areas and creating open coffee areas. In addition, by 2028, the company plans to equip 20,000 restaurants with special scales to verify the accuracy of orders. McDonald's is also implementing ArchIQ, a system developed in conjunction with Google. and Archy AI assistant for taking orders at ticket offices and automating product accounting.
In addition to the technological update, the network adapts the menu: the company expands testing of hand-breaded chicken, and also introduces high-protein positions, targeting customers who follow the diet and take weight loss drugs.
The investment will be phased in as markets and individual franchisees are ready. Once upgraded, the efficiency gains are expected to bring an average U.S. restaurant about $100,000 in annual cash flow, some of which can be reinvested in the restaurant.
Vlad Nikiforov
