McDonald’s is ramping up its commitment to artificial intelligence, with plans to “double down” on AI investments by 2027, and has identified India as a central hub for innovation in data governance, engineering, and platform architecture..
The fast-food giant, which has operated in India since 1996, recently opened a global office in Hyderabad, with the goal of making it the company’s largest office outside the U.S.
“We’re still in the early stages, so it’s hard to pin down the exact investment,” said Deshant Kaila, McDonald’s Head of Global Business Services Operations, during an event in Hyderabad.
AI in Action
McDonald’s is already deploying AI in 400 restaurants to verify customer orders and reduce errors before they’re handed over. According to Durga Prakash, Head of Technology for global offices, the company plans to expand this AI-driven system to 40,000 restaurants worldwide by 2027.
The company is also leveraging AI to:
- Forecast sales
- Determine pricing strategies
- Evaluate product performance
- Develop a personalized global mobile app
Kaila noted that India’s role will largely focus on building out the AI team and tech capabilities, though investments will be directed more toward tools and infrastructure than expanding headcount.
India’s Growing Role
In early 2025, the state of Telangana announced that McDonald’s would open a Global Capability Center (GCC) in Hyderabad, employing 2,000 people. GCCs in India, originally outsourcing hubs, have evolved into strategic units handling everything from operations and finance to R&D.
McDonald’s is also in discussions to open a similar global office in Poland, complementing its current offices in India and Mexico.
As the company strengthens its tech backbone globally, India is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of McDonald’s digital transformation.
