India becomes McDonald’s global AI centre in major expansion
AI-based order verification technology is live in 400 restaurants in India, with plans to scale to 40,000 locations worldwide.
McDonald’s has declared its intention to significantly expand its footprint in AI, setting a global target of doubling AI investment by 2027. The company has designated Hyderabad, India, as its principal hub outside the US, focusing on data governance, engineering, and platform architecture.
AI technology in India already lives in 400 locations, where order-verifying systems automatically detect and correct errors before food is served. Plans are in place to scale that capability to 40,000 restaurants by 2027, enhancing operational efficiency across global markets.
McDonald’s is expanding AI use beyond order accuracy. Leadership has prioritised tools for forecasting customer demand, adjusting real-time pricing, and analysing product performance. A personalised application in development is intended to unify operations across multiple countries.
The Hyderabad centre aims to employ 2,000 tech professionals while prioritising tool and platform development over large-scale hiring. Similar global offices are being explored in Poland and Mexico.
A creative marketing angle is also emerging: McDonald’s India’s ‘Signature Collection’ campaign used generative AI to let customers design bespoke burgers via a chatbot, augmented by AI visuals, to create engaging brand experiences.
Strategic thinking among multinationals is shifting: firms like McDonald’s, Bupa, and Tesco are setting up global capability centres in India to sidestep competition for AI talent in Western markets. These centres now perform core AI functions rather than support tasks.
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