McDonald’s is testing a new AI-driven restaurant platform called ArchIQ at five locations across the United States, developed with Google and powered by a virtual assistant named “Archy” that can take drive-thru orders without staff involvement.
The technology was introduced during the company’s Worldwide Convention in Las Vegas as part of CEO Chris Kempczinski’s broader “McDonald’s Next” initiative, which includes restaurant modernization and operational improvements.
According to the anonymous franchisee account McFranchisee on X, the system has already processed more than one million orders across the pilot locations, achieving a reported 90% completion rate while supporting both English and Spanish customers.
The launch marks McDonald’s latest effort in AI-powered ordering after ending its partnership with IBM in 2024. That earlier drive-thru experiment operated at more than 100 restaurants before being discontinued following customer complaints about inaccurate orders.
Beyond taking orders, ArchIQ is designed to help restaurant managers monitor operations and identify potential issues before they disrupt service. As part of the project, McDonald’s plans to equip all US locations with Google Edge Cloud hardware ahead of a larger rollout.
Customer reactions have been divided, with some welcoming faster service while others worry about reduced human interaction and the impact of automation on restaurant jobs. McDonald’s says the goal is to improve efficiency without sacrificing hospitality.