McDonald’s reportedly has plans to open more than 8,000 new locations globally by the end of 2026, which is part of a larger goal to reach at least 50,000 locations by 2027, reported Fox Business.
The outlet wrote that the QSR’s growth will focus on high traffic and emerging markets, while existing locations will continue to be upgraded.
“To improve efficiency, the chain will be revamping about 27,000 drive-thru locations, with more sites changing to multi-lane formats to cut wait times and speed up bigger order volumes. New guidelines for franchises have been designed to reinforce accountability for delivering consistent value,” wrote Fox Business.
Looking at menu improvements, McDonald’s will reportedly test new drink options that were previously piloted through its past CosMc’s concept at more than 500 locations, potentially including specialty cold brews, slushies and flavored beverages.
“The company is also expanding its chicken lineup with new wraps and upgraded sandwiches. Burger quality is also getting attention, with the Better Burger Initiative focusing on improved preparation techniques, fresher ingredients and tighter food-handling standards,” the article stated.
Technology wise, the McDonald’s Rewards program is set to be expanded with more personalized deals and additional ways to earn points. Behind the scenes, AI tools developed with Google Cloud are expected to support faster drive-thru ordering.
In August 2025, McDonald's announced its plans to "double down" on its AI investments over the next several years and said it is “betting on India to be a key hub for data governance, engineering and platform architecture.”