Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inJ.R. DurenFriday 06 November 2026 20:13 GMTMcDonald's brings back Fried Apple PieMcDonald's plans to roll out a voice-AI drive-thru ordering system named Archy across most U.S. restaurants by 2027.CEO Chris Kempczinski said the technology aims to improve order consistency and accuracy across drive-thrus, which generate about 75% of business.McDonald's estimates Archy will save at least 50 labor hours per store each week, freeing up crew members to focus on hospitality.The company has not disclosed whether the reduction in required labor hours will result in store-level layoffs.The move reflects a broader industry push toward AI, though research shows 85 percent of consumers still prefer interacting with human agents.In fullMajor change to McDonald’s drive-thru coming next yearMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in