McDonald's

A federal lawsuit filed in Chicago alleges McDonald's used an AI pricing tool that enables independently owned franchises to exchange nonpublic price and sales information, amounting to algorithmic price-fixing and inflating menu prices. The complaint seeks nationwide class-action status and cites wide regional price disparities and a roughly 40% rise in average menu prices since 2019. McDonald's denies the tool sets prices, saying franchisees set their own prices and that available tools are optional; the company says it will vigorously defend itself. » Plus sur theguardian.com

A U.S. consumer has filed a lawsuit in Chicago, accusing McDonald's of centralizing non-public sales data from franchised and company-owned restaurants via an AI-powered pricing engine and generating coordinated price recommendations that franchisees would effectively have to follow. McDonald's denies the allegations, saying franchisees set prices themselves and that the tools are industry standard. The plaintiff seeks treble damages and disgorgement of profits; the complaint says the system has been used since at least 2019 and links it to steep menu price increases between 2019 and 2024. » Plus sur heise.de

McDonald’s announces a strategic offensive and plans to invest about $8.5 billion through 2036, roughly $5 billion of it by 2030, to bring customers back to its restaurants. In response to the trend toward GLP‑1 medications, the company is introducing smaller portions and more protein‑rich offerings such as bowls, grilled chicken sandwiches, wraps and egg bites. Funds will also go toward AI solutions and renovating outlets to adapt to changing eating habits. » Plus sur t-online.de