McDonald’s is piloting a new AI-driven drive-through ordering system, ArchIQ, at five restaurants in the US.
This comes after the chain introduced the Google-powered ordering platform at its 2026 worldwide convention last week.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
A franchise owner involved in the trial said the system is informally called “Archy”.
According to an ABC News report, a video shared by the franchise owner on X shows the AI greeting customers, taking orders, and pausing to process modifications or special requests.
Once complete, the AI tool displays the completed order and price on a screen before instructing drivers to “pull ahead” for collection.
According to the franchise owner, ArchIQ can take orders in English and Spanish and can respond when repeat customers say, “Can I get my usual?”
The same post said “90% of orders” so far had been “completed without human escalations”.
In a recent company memo, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said the company is launching a new strategy as “more of the customer journey becomes automated,” meaning “there are fewer opportunities for guests to connect with crew.”
McDonald’s has not yet confirmed any plans for a broader rollout of its AI ordering technology.
This is the company’s second major test of AI-driven drive-through systems. A previous programme with IBM, covering more than 100 restaurants, was discontinued in 2024 after the company chose not to continue with the technology, according to an Independent report.
