GoKawiil
Tech News
McDonald's is developing new menu options including grilled chicken, wraps and egg bites, alongside smaller portion sizes. The company points to roughly 30 million Americans now using GLP-1 weight-loss drugs as a factor shaping demand for its food offerings.
McDonald's is starting a new advertising arm that will sell targeted ads across its drive-thru screens, app and other customer touchpoints, drawing on data collected from its customers. The initiative turns the fast-food chain into a media platform akin to retailers that have built ad networks from shopper data.
McDonald's announced an $8.5 billion investment at its investor day, extending its 'Next' growth plan unveiled in June, aiming to save individual restaurants up to $100,000 a year in cash flow. Executives acknowledged that a rapid pace of recent menu launches had slowed service and hurt customer satisfaction, and the company is now targeting the $30 billion chicken category and menu options for GLP-1 drug users, whose households still frequent McDonald's 84% of the time. Despite the announcement, McDonald's stock fell 4.4% the same day.
Chinese President Xi Jinping landed at Joint Base Andrews and was greeted by President Trump ahead of a summit covering trade, AI and the Iran war, followed by a state dinner. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. and China agreed to extend their trade truce to January 10, while a Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson said the two sides discussed lowering tariffs. Separately, Treasury yields hit multiyear highs and U.S. stock futures fell after a down session on Wall Street.
McDonald's has begun a limited test showing third-party brand advertisements on digital drive-thru menu boards after customers place their orders, according to Bloomberg. The ads appear during the wait period before customers receive their food, and the pilot is currently confined to company-owned restaurants.
A major Wendy's franchisee operating 314 restaurants has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing what it called sustained system-wide headwinds alongside broader struggles facing the parent company. The filing marks a significant setback for Wendy's, which has already been dealing with declining sales and a contracting store count.
Major fast-food chains are officially adopting menu items first popularized by customers on social media. IHOP revived its Stuffed French Toast after fan requests and rolled out Dubai Chocolate Pancakes nationwide following a viral test run, while Chipotle launched Chili Lime Chips inspired by customers crushing chips into their bowls. Taco Bell's new 'Fan Style' feature lets loyalty members build and share custom orders, following similar moves by McDonald's and Burger King.
Several major fast-food chains and restaurants are offering discounts, freebies, and promotions to mark National Cheeseburger Day, including McDonald's, Burger King, and Five Guys. The deals span a range of formats, from free add-ons to discounted combo meals, giving customers multiple ways to save on the popular sandwich.
McDonald's has teamed up with Chinese super-app Meituan to deliver food by drone to designated pickup kiosks in Shanghai's waterfront district. Customers place orders through Meituan, and drones fly meals like Big Macs and McNuggets directly to these collection points within minutes.
Mixue, the Chinese soft-serve and tea chain founded by brothers Zhang Hongchao and Zhang Hongfu, now operates more than 47,000 stores worldwide, more than McDonald's, per the Wall Street Journal. The company built its footprint by targeting smaller Chinese cities and towns with cheap products, such as 45-cent cones, rather than competing in major urban markets. Mixue recently went public in Hong Kong and is valued around $10 billion.
Terry Eagle began working part-time at a McDonald's in South London in 1976 and was promoted to manager by age 19. He later became a franchisee, eventually growing his business to six McDonald's restaurants across South London, and celebrated his 50th anniversary with the company this July.
McDonald's launched a Dragonberry Energizer drink in partnership with Red Bull, and days later Taco Bell countered with three new energy refreshers, according to Restaurant Business. Both fast-food giants are pushing deeper into beverages as customer spending rises and drinks attract new visitors.