Overview
- McDonald’s announced a program called McDonald’s > NEXT that commits roughly $8.5 billion in franchisee support through 2036, with about $5 billion to be provided by 2030.
- The money is framed as aid for franchisees rather than a uniform remodel; McDonald’s plans to use a mix of rent relief and capital assistance so individual markets and restaurants decide which upgrades they receive.
- Planned visible changes include modernized dining rooms, more open McCafé preparation, pickup lockers for orders, drive‑through improvements, and automation of back‑office tasks to speed service.
- The company will push a protein-focused menu strategy that may add grilled chicken sandwiches and wraps in the U.S., while testing items such as hand-breaded chicken, Egg Bites, and Bowls in select markets.
- Investors reacted negatively to the scale and timing of the program, with shares falling after the announcement on September 23, 2026, and rollout details for some countries, including Germany, remain undecided.