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.

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.