McDonald’s tech outage highlights the difficulty of transitioning from fast food to technology

Quotes may be displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes, with market data provided by Factset and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. The recent technology outage at McDonald’s highlights the fast-food giant’s increasing reliance on tech systems, a trend seen in the food service industry. The outage affected McDonald’s locations across global markets, causing some stores to accept only cash or shut down entirely. The company attributed the outage to a third-party provider during a “configuration change.” McDonald’s emphasized the importance of technology reliability and stability, stating that all restaurants are now open and serving customers. The company acknowledged the risks posed by technology outages in a recent regulatory filing, noting potential impacts on operations and customer experiences. McDonald’s also highlighted risks associated with AI tools in its systems. Despite the outage, McDonald’s remains committed to leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and performance. The company has been encouraging digital ordering through its app and kiosks, with about one-third of sales coming from digital platforms in key markets. In December, McDonald’s announced a partnership with Google to enhance its AI system for improved food quality. Generative AI is already playing a significant role in restaurant operations and customer marketing.