McDonald's Drive-Thru AI Upgrade Boosts Orders by 20%—But Workers Fear Job Cuts

McDonald's Drive-Thru AI Upgrade Boosts Orders by 20%—But Workers Fear Job Cuts

McDonald's rolls out its drive-thru AI upgrade across 1,000 U.S. stores, automating order-taking and cutting service time by 30 seconds. CEO Chris Kempczinski touts a 20% increase in average check size through suggestive selling, as early tests show reduced labor costs. Yet franchisees brace for backlash, with crew members voicing concerns over displaced roles. Competitors like Wendy's are racing to follow suit, signaling a fast-food arms race where speed trumps jobs.