# McDonald's $8.5B NEXT Plan for Franchise Upgrades

> McDonald's $8.5 billion investment to modernize 250,000+ restaurants with AI, efficiency gains, and protein-focused menu changes by 2036
- Title: McDonald's $8.5B NEXT Plan for Franchise Upgrades | Shortify
- Summary: McDonald's $8.5 billion investment to modernize 250,000+ restaurants with AI, efficiency gains, and protein-focused menu changes by 2036 Franchisees get…
- Keywords: mcdonalds, next plan, franchisee support, archy, hand-breaded chicken, mcdonalds usa, chicago, mcdonalds next, restaurant upgrades, protein menu, glp-1, McDonald's
- Source: Dallas Express — https://dallasexpress.com/business-markets/mcdonalds-to-provide-8-5-billion-in-franchisee-support-for-restaurant-upgrades-ai
- Author: Dallas Express
- Published: 2026-09-24T14:30:49+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mcdonalds, next plan, franchisee support, ai, archy, hand-breaded chicken, mcdonalds usa, chicago, mcdonalds next, restaurant upgrades, protein menu, glp-1
## New $8.5 Billion Plan
McDonald's will invest $8.5 billion through 2036 to modernize restaurants and deploy AI technology for franchisees.

> McDonald's plans to invest about $8.5 billion through 2036 to modernize restaurants, expand technology, and improve operations as part of its previously announced McDonald's NEXT strategy.
## 250 Basis Points Efficiency
The plan targets 250 basis points of gross restaurant-level efficiency improvements globally.

> McDonald's estimates those improvements could generate about $100,000 in annual cash flow benefits for the typical U.S. restaurant once the investments are in place.
## Franchisee Cost Relief
Franchisees will spend an additional $800,000 over time with McDonald's providing rent relief and capital support.

> U.S. franchisees typically spend up to $450,000 over a decade on required restaurant remodels. Under the new plan, franchisees are expected to spend an additional $800,000 over time, with McDonald's providing part of the cost through rent relief and capital support.
## AI Deployment
McDonald's is deploying ArchIQ, an AI system with Google to improve order accuracy and automate tasks.

> McDonald's is deploying ArchIQ, an artificial intelligence system developed with Google that is designed to improve order accuracy and automate tasks such as inventory management and scheduling.
## Archy Drive-Thru
Archy, the AI-powered drive-thru, now supports English and Spanish with 90% order accuracy.

> Archy can now take orders in both English and Spanish and has achieved about 90% accuracy in testing, according to McDonald's.
## Protein Menu Shift
Hand-breaded chicken sales improved at 10,000 Asian restaurants and Chicago locations.

> McDonald's said hand-breaded chicken has improved sales and quality ratings at about 10,000 restaurants in Asia and at several locations near Chicago.
## New Training Program
Make It Golden training focuses on food quality and customer hospitality starting October 5.

> Beginning October 5, employees will receive additional training designed to provide more hands-on experience with food preparation and customer interactions.
## Key takeaway

Franchisees get $800,000 extra over time for upgrades while McDonald's targets 250 basis points of efficiency gains