Posted on 09/25/2026 7:53:23 AM PDT by Red Badger
McDonald’s is spending billions of dollars to boost its franchises, an effort to cement its title as the leader in fast food amid growing competition.
The chain announced Wednesday that it will invest $8.5 billion by 2036 on a series of initiatives, including remodeling restaurants, retraining its 2 million employees and adding new menu items to target high-protein eaters.
About $5 billion will be spent in the next three and a half years alone, a combination of capital support as well as rent relief for franchises.
It’s all part of a multiyear strategy to win back diners and capture more market share. Last month, McDonald’s reported its slowest quarterly growth since 2025. The chain had blamed the decline on launching too many promotions, plus inadequate customer service and its massive World Cup promotion failing to attract eaters.
The new strategy, called “Next,” aims to make the chain “the first choice for more customers, more often — while making our restaurants stronger and easier to run,” CEO Chris Kempczinski said in a press release.
McDonald’s troubles are part of broader economic issues affecting all dining chains, with rising food prices causing customers to dine out less. The chain’s stock has fallen about 20% for the year.
What’s new? In addition to rent relief and capital support, some of that multibillion-dollar spend will be used for remodeling restaurants. McDonald’s mandates its franchises remodel every decade.
Images revealed on Wednesday show expansive dining rooms, bigger play areas and improved lighting. There are also redesigned kitchens that will use new AI tools to improve speed and efficiency, which the company said it expects to earn each restaurant an additional $100,000 in cash flow via savings.
McDonald’s also focused on changing its menu as it combats new competition that includes a revitalized Burger King, ...
(Excerpt) Read more at lite.cnn.com ...
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As long as they keep my double quarter pounder with cheese I will pay the price in Washington - much cheaper in Wyoming.
When I was in Israel in ‘99, I think a burger, fries and drink was $10.
Israel was very expensive.
The food is too expensive.
The staff is too small.
People don’t want to work at McDonald’s (or Burger King) because the wages are too low. So everyone is overworked and unhappy, the lines are long, the wait for “fast food” is too long and the whole experience sucks.
But by all means, spend a few billion to improve the lighting. That will help.
The McDonald’s nearest to me is sometimes a violent place. I wouldn’t take small children there. But it’s also very busy. So I doubt if they’ll close it.
How will that problem be addressed?
🤔
When I worked at McDonald’s in the mid 1960s a hamburger was about $0.12.
I like Burger King Whoppers but none near where I live now.
They must have hired that Cracker Barrel chick.............
McDonald’s used to actually be a “happy place.” Now from the drab architecture and style of the buildings coupled with the food, prices, and service and it doesn’t seem very happy now.
Midnight Basket ball...............
Go back to beef tallow for frying stuff in.
Nope, still not going there…
Will they offer burgers that don’t look like they were run over by a truck?
You can still feed a family of four for under $5 there as long as they are all dead.
Went to McDonald’s here and had to spend ten minutes trying to order from that stupid kiosk screen. No person at the counter to help.
Finally gave up and walked out..............
Revert to the original method and recipe for French fries.
Lose the DEI employees. If I walk in to any fast food joint and notice a good number of “diverse” workers, I walk out. Not eager to be served bodily fluids in my food.
The Big Mac is laughably small now..............
two words Tal Low
A good start would be to actually have employees who are fluent enough in English to make themselves understood to customers.
The proposed 3 day course in hand to hand combat for the counter people will help but it should be expanded to at least 10 days training for some locations.
I can remember going out on Friday nights in the middle 60’s and getting two hamburgers, a cheeseburger, small fries, and a coke for just under $1.00! So for a dollar we ate and then went out for the evening.
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