McDonald’s tests Google-backed AI drive-thru ordering system

McDonald’s is piloting a Googlebacked AI system called ArchIQ, or “Archy,” to handle drivethru orders and assist with restaurant operations. The test is currently running at five U.S. locations, according to reporting cited in the article. In demonstrations shared by a franchise owner, the system can greet customers, take and modify orders in English and Spanish, calculate totals, and direct cars to the pickup point. The franchise account also said the tool has handled more than one million transactions and resolved most orders without staff escalation, though McDonald’s has not confirmed those figures or explained the system’s technical design. The company says the new test is part of its broader “McDonald’s NEXT” growth plan, which focuses on improving operations and unit economics. Beyond ordering, the system is described as able to flag issues such as freezer failures or kitchen bottlenecks for managers. McDonald’s previously tested an IBM automated ordering system at more than 100 restaurants, but ended that pilot in 2024 after customer complaints about errors. The company has said it will keep exploring voice ordering technology, but has not said when or whether the current AI system will expand beyond the pilot locations.