How McDonald’s is using AI for a More Dynamic Drive-Thru

McDonalds is making big (Mac) moves.

After partnering with Uber Eats and launching its own app, America’s favorite fast food joint is embracing AI/machine learning with the $300 million acquisition of Dynamic Yield, an Israeli-based startup which provides algorithmically driven “decision logic” technology for retailers. 

The first deployment of the Dynamic Yield’s technology will be at the drive-thru, where the majority if the brand’s sales are made. The goal is to connect the various technologies that McDonald’s has already implemented, like digital monitors and Uber Eats availability, to merge mass-market and personalized service. A pilot program is currently underway at a McDonald’s in Miami, where algorithms crunch data inclusive of weather, time of day, local traffic, nearby events, and historical sales to make recommendations and upsell suggestions. The more customers interact with the technology, the smarter it will become, like suggesting easier-to-prepare items during peak times and more complex ones during quieter times.

“Ultimately you can see we’ll be able to use predictive analytics — we’re going to have real-time information, as we start to connect the kitchen together — further back through our supply chain. I’m sure that will happen,” says CEO Steve Easterbrook. “That isn’t part of this particular technology, but as you start to link the predictive nature of customer demand all the way through your stock levels in the restaurant and the kitchen, you can almost flex it back down through the supply chain.”

The technology is expected to be available in 1,000 locations within three months, with further upgrades like license plate recognition and linking to current geofencing to predict orders once a customer enters a store’s radius.

Looks like fast food just got faster.