McDonald's Says AI Does Not Set Big Mac Prices After Sept. 29 Reuters Probe
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Finance · Oct 4
McDonald's Says AI Does Not Set Big Mac Prices After Sept. 29 Reuters Probe
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Finance · Oct 4
Summary
McDonald's said its AI tools do not set Big Mac or other menu prices, issuing a six-point rebuttal after a Sept. 29 Reuters investigation raised concerns about the system's role.
The chain said the software only suggests prices to franchisees using local operating costs, competition and customer demand, and that owners are not required to follow those recommendations.
McDonald's also denied using dynamic pricing or tailoring menu prices to an individual customer's willingness to pay, drawing a line between AI guidance and final pricing decisions.
Reuters had reported that the company analyzes millions of transactions and that five franchisees felt pressured to use the tools, with McDonald's tracking when owners deviated from recommendations.