McDonald’s is gearing up for a major push into artificial intelligence, with big plans to expand its digital capabilities and lean on India as a core technology hub over the next few years. By 2027, the global fast-food chain wants to significantly deepen its investment in AI, using it to enhance everything from order accuracy to pricing and sales forecasts.
The company has already started testing AI tools across 400 restaurants to reduce errors during order handoffs. The goal is to roll out these systems to over 40,000 outlets worldwide within the next two years. “We’re still in the early stages, so it’s hard to pin down the exact investment,” said Deshant Kaila, McDonald’s Head of Global Business Services Operations, during a visit to the company’s newly established Hyderabad office.
This expansion into AI isn’t just about making smarter decisions. It’s also about placing the right talent in the right places. And for McDonald’s, India is becoming central to that effort. Hyderabad, where the company recently opened a major global office, is set to become its largest tech base outside the United States. The focus will be on building out the company’s AI capabilities—particularly in areas like data management, platform design, and systems engineering.
Kaila noted that the emphasis will be on investing in tools and technology rather than growing headcount dramatically. The idea is to build a strong, agile foundation in India that can support McDonald’s global AI strategy.
Durga Prakash, the company’s Global Offices Head of Technology, explained how AI is being used behind the scenes to forecast demand, set dynamic prices, and evaluate how well products are performing. McDonald’s is also working on a fully personalized app experience that would work seamlessly across international markets. “The idea is to make tech work smarter for both customers and the business,” Prakash said.
Hyderabad is already shaping up to be a critical part of that vision. Earlier this year, the Telangana state government announced that McDonald’s would be setting up a global capability center in the city. The center is expected to employ around 2,000 people and will play a key role in everything from tech development to operations support.
While India has long been a destination for IT and back-office operations, global firms like McDonald’s are increasingly looking to their Indian centers for more strategic roles. These hubs are no longer just about saving costs—they’re becoming engines of innovation and business transformation.
Alongside its India investment, McDonald’s is also exploring the possibility of opening a global office in Poland, similar to the ones it already has in Hyderabad and Mexico.
As the company continues to evolve beyond burgers and fries into a more tech-forward business, its bets on AI and the talent hubs powering it are likely to shape its next phase of growth.
