Add The New York Post on Google McDonald’s rivals are not lovin’ the competition.
McDonald’s is going all in on GLP-1 users, and taking down the competition along the way. On Wednesday’s Investor Day meeting — where companies present long-term strategy — the Golden Arches revealed it would start experimenting with new, more protein-packed menu items.
Sky Anderson, the president of McDonald’s USA, noted that roughly 30 million Americans were using a GLP-1 like Ozempic — a medication that regulates blood sugar, slows digestion and controls appetite.
Anderson told the group of executives that as a result, diners are now looking for smaller, more protein-packed meals — and willing to fork over cash for it.
“This is an opportunity. We need to keep giving them more reasons to make McDonald’s their first choice,” Anderson said.
The fast food chain briefly announced it would test products like egg bites — rivaling Starbucks who popularized the quick breakfast item back in 2017. The Chicago-based burger joint is also taking on Chipotle — who first mainstreamed the modern burrito bowl.
McDonald’s said it aims to offer its take on the popular lunch meal, the bowl, to meet the needs of those who are looking for healthier options. It’s not clear what type of bowl the company will be rolling out — but it will likely be meat-based.
The fast food giant is also adding a classic grilled chicken sandwich and wraps for another on-the-go, protein-packed item.
Diners may also see some serious changes hitting locations as the company revealed it will be spending $8.5 billion over the next decade to modernize its spots across the globe. Some fast fixes include lockers to handle delivery orders more easily, larger play areas for the kiddos and improved kitchen layouts.
And like nearly every other fast food chain, Mickey D’s will be implementing updates to its new AI. The brand said it will accelerate the deployment of its ArchIQ system — a program developed with Google that enhances order accuracy with artificial intelligence.
It will also automate some managerial tasks like inventory management and scheduling for employees.
The onus for updating locations isn’t being put on the franchisee — McDonald’s will be securing extra cash to help with the remodels. Every 10 years or so, franchisees spend roughly $450,000 on required revisions for the stores.
Since each franchisee will have to spend an extra $800,000 — almost $1 million — to execute the modernization plan, McDonald’s said it will be handing out a portion of that cost.
The Post reached out to McDonald’s for information on the new menu items but has not yet heard back.
