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McDonald's gives its restaurants an AI makeover

wsj.com

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Re: McDonald's gives its restaurants an AI makeover

#71

Post by Yeul »

lelandfe wrote: post #8

> McDonald’s consumers remain pressured, particularly low-income diners and families. The restaurant is hoping that a better tech-enabled experience will help it deliver on its goal of growing its loyalty patrons from 175 million to 250 million by 2027 > [..] > AI will be able to help McDonald’s tailor its promotions and offers by using customer data such as prior purchasing history, and even linking it with weather…

In my country even a big mac is 5 euro. I think if you're struggling cooking pasta would be a more efficient meal.

Re: McDonald's gives its restaurants an AI makeover

#72

Post by ergocoder »

anon373839 wrote: post #21

I don't understand how McDonalds is still relevant outside of food deserts. The food quality is trash, and the prices are so high that you can and should just go elsewhere and buy real food.

The food quality is decent. It is also cheaper than 99% of the restaurants out there. It's a cheaper option for people who don't want to cook and don't want to spend a lot of money eating.

Re: McDonald's gives its restaurants an AI makeover

#74

Post by ergocoder »

Larrikin wrote: post #28

In my area, I can pay about five dollars more and get an equivalent meal from Five Guys. Why would I ever go to McDonald's when I can get a meal that I actually taste good. Especially something that should not be eaten that often.

Maybe you like Five Guys. Some people do, but a lot of people don't. That's why Five Guys stay tiny as it is today...

Re: McDonald's gives its restaurants an AI makeover

#75

Post by soupfordummies »

xhkkffbf wrote: post #65
mindwok wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

AI is supposed to free us of menial labour and give us the future of our dreams and instead I’m getting targeted ads for McFlurries. God damnit.

There are some who dream of McFlurries. So maybe it is giving us the stuff of their dreams?

Then you wake up and find out the ice cream machine "is down."

Let me know when AI fixes THAT problem...

Re: McDonald's gives its restaurants an AI makeover

#76

Post by orphea »

Yeul wrote: post #71
lelandfe wrote: post #8

> McDonald’s consumers remain pressured, particularly low-income diners and families. The restaurant is hoping that a better tech-enabled experience will help it deliver on its goal of growing its loyalty patrons from 175 million to 250 million by 2027 > [..] > AI will be able to help McDonald’s tailor its promotions and offers by using customer data such as prior purchasing history, and even linking it with weather…

In my country even a big mac is 5 euro. I think if you're struggling cooking pasta would be a more efficient meal.

Or rice. You can do wonders with rice.

Re: McDonald's gives its restaurants an AI makeover

#77

Post by larvaetron »

acdha wrote: post #18
hiddencost wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean we've been doing large scale business data analytics and micro targeting for a very long time. But this is just ... Boring.

Exactly - the exact same pitch would have been used with “big data” in the 2010s, and probably something about OLAP a decade before that. It was weird seeing that example without even attempting to explain what makes it AI other than, presumably, giving Gartner a lot more money.

> the exact same pitch would have been used with “big data” in the 2010s

I'm surprised I don't see this mentioned more often. The tech industry feels like a "more obvious than usual" case of déjà vu these past few years.

Re: McDonald's gives its restaurants an AI makeover

#78

Post by 7speter »

soupfordummies wrote: post #75
xhkkffbf wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are some who dream of McFlurries. So maybe it is giving us the stuff of their dreams?

Then you wake up and find out the ice cream machine "is down." Let me know when AI fixes THAT problem...

Well the article talks about this. Ai monitors the machinery in the restaurant and warns when something is about to fail.

The first thing I thought of was the ai minimizing mcflurry machine downtime.

Re: McDonald's gives its restaurants an AI makeover

#79

Post by UncleEntity »

Larrikin wrote: post #60
reaperducer wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I looked on the McDonald's app.

The prices in the app are lower than if you actually order in store. Specials and coupons are only offered through the apps now. Actual store prices can be seen on the delivery apps or by just going to a store. You can't actually order online through McDonald's directly because they are trying to force the app on you. But who actually wants the hassle of having an app for McD, BK, Subway, and other garbage where you'…

Umm, me?

The "slight discount" usually gets me get a pretty full meal for less than $10 and, on occasion, significantly less than that. Really depends on what specials they're promoting and how frisky I'm feeling.

And just turn off notifications to not get unwanted advertising. Don't really care if they know my food preference data since they would have it anyway if I pay with anything other than cash.

Re: McDonald's gives its restaurants an AI makeover

#80

Post by Clamchop »

anon373839 wrote: post #21

I don't understand how McDonalds is still relevant outside of food deserts. The food quality is trash, and the prices are so high that you can and should just go elsewhere and buy real food.

I see this sort of remark every time McDonald's comes up and I always wonder why it doesn't prompt people to check their assumptions. Clearly they are doing well enough so you're missing something.
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