McDonald’s is planning a major $8.5 billion spending push to improve its restaurants, employees and menu as it tries to bring more customers back. The fast-food giant said it will spend $8.5 billion by 2036 on several changes across its business. The plan includes remodeling restaurants, training employees and adding new food items, especially for customers looking for more protein.
McDonald’s will spend about $5 billion in the next three-and-a-half years alone. That $5 billion will include financial support for franchise owners and rent relief, along with money for restaurant improvements.
The company said the goal of “Next” is to make McDonald’s the first choice for more customers and get people to visit more often. The spending is part of a new multiyear strategy called “Next.
McDonald’s recently reported its slowest quarterly growth since 2025, showing that the company needs to attract more customers. McDonald’s expects the new kitchen technology to help each restaurant generate about $100,000 more in cash flow through savings, according to the company. McDonald’s estimates that the market includes about 60 million Americans looking for more protein, along with about 30 million GLP-1 users. Burger King reported an 8.5% increase in US same-store sales last quarter. That growth was higher than McDonald’s by the largest margin in more than 10 years, according to CNN.
CEO Chris Kempczinski said the strategy is also meant to make McDonald’s restaurants stronger and easier to operate, according to CNN. McDonald’s said this in a press release. The new menu could replace the recently launched “$3 and Under” menu. Anderson said McDonald’s has many things that customers like, but the company is not delivering consistently enough when it comes to execution.
The company is making these changes as it faces stronger competition from other fast-food chains. McDonald’s also plans to redesign its kitchens. The new kitchens will use AI tools to help restaurants work faster and more efficiently. McDonald’s is also changing its menu as it tries to respond to changing customer tastes and competition. The company is focusing on customers who want more protein in their meals. The company is testing several new food options aimed at these customers. These include burger bowls, chicken bowls and egg bites. McDonald’s is also facing pressure from Burger King, which has recently improved its business. McDonald’s is also facing competition from fast-growing beverage chains that are attracting customers with drinks. McDonald’s is considering another major menu change involving its value offerings. The company is discussing a new value menu with its franchisees. The change comes after McDonald’s admitted that it had too many promotions running at the same time.
Anderson made the comments at McDonald’s investor day on Wednesday, according to CNN.
