McDonald's is trying out a new artificial intelligence system at five U.S. drive-thru locations, in a sign that one of the country's largest fast-food chains is pushing further into automation. The test could eventually change how customers place orders at the familiar speaker box, where human workers have traditionally taken requests for decades.
The company introduced the system, called ArchIQ, at its worldwide convention last week. McDonald's says the platform is powered by Google technology and is being used to handle ordering at a small number of restaurants as the company evaluates how well it works in daily operations.
According to a franchise owner who has posted about the rollout on X, the system is nicknamed Archy. In a video shared online, the AI greets customers, takes their orders, pauses when changes are made, and then shows the final order and total on a screen before instructing the driver to pull ahead for pickup.
The franchise owner also said the tool can process orders in English and Spanish and respond to repeat customers who ask for their usual order. In a post on X, the owner said 90% of the orders tested so far were completed without needing a person to step in.
McDonald's has not announced any broader launch plan for the technology. The company says the goal is to improve the customer experience, speed and accuracy for both guests and employees, rather than to replace jobs outright.
The experiment comes as the chain's leadership is increasingly focused on how automation is reshaping the restaurant experience. In a recent memo, CEO Chris Kempczinski said more of the customer journey is becoming automated, leaving fewer chances for guests to interact with crew members. He wrote that as those interactions decline, hospitality becomes even more important, and the company must continue earning customer loyalty, especially during a period of elevated prices and pressure on value perception.
Industry analysts say the move reflects a broader shift across fast food. Jonathan Maze, editor-in-chief of Restaurant Business, said automated ordering is effectively replacing a task that had long been handled by a worker. He said companies often present the technology as a way to free staff for other duties.
McDonald's has explored automation before, but past tests have had setbacks. The company ended a 2024 experiment after videos of incorrect orders spread widely on social media, according to Restaurant Business. That history may help explain why the current rollout is limited and closely watched.
Still, fast-food companies continue to invest in AI ordering systems. Taco Bell and Wendy's have both announced their own drive-thru automation efforts, suggesting that the industry sees long-term potential even as the technology faces scrutiny from customers.
Public reaction to McDonald's latest test has been mixed, with many social media users saying they prefer human interaction at the drive-thru. Others have said a more efficient, tech-driven process could be welcome if it reduces waits and ordering errors.
For now, McDonald's is keeping the test small. Whether ArchIQ becomes a standard part of its drive-thru operations will likely depend on how well it performs in the field and whether customers accept the change.