McDonald's is throwing cold water on the notion that artificial intelligence is influencing its menu prices.
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The fast-food chain released a "Separating Fact From Fiction" chart on its official website Thursday, assuring that "AI Does Not Set Prices" at its locations across the country.
"We do not use AI to set prices," a spokesman said, describing consumer complaints as "more sizzle than substance."
"This is a nothingburger with maybe extra pickles," the rep told the New York Post.
McDonald's has faced several consumer complaints that prices are being swayed by AI. However, the fast-food giant refuted implementing such a strategy.
"Dynamic pricing is not on the menu at McDonald's. It's never been on the menu."
Dynamic pricing tracks data on an individual customer's spending habits and their willingness to pay.
McDonald's Denies Using AI, Dynamic Pricing For Menu Prices
The fast-food giant claims that, instead of dynamic pricing, franchisees set prices based on their location.
McDonald's "pricing recommendation tool provides restaurant-specific recommendations. it does not change or set prices," the chart says.
"Franchisees decide what prices to charge and whether to use the recommendations.
"The bottom line: The tool provides information. People make the final pricing decisions. AI does not set McDonald's menu prices. Franchisees do."
McDonald's price policy transparency comes days after a Guardian investigation revealed that 7-Eleven and Circle K have widely been overcharging customers across the country.
The investigation revealed widespread false advertising at both chains, with customers being charged more than the prices listed on shelves and sale signs.
Furthermore, these price discrepancies greatly differed from state to state.
The report found Circle K failed 35 percent of price-accuracy inspections in Florida, 62 percent in North Carolina, and 82 percent in Columbus, Ohio, between 2023 and 2025.
7-Eleven also failed price-accuracy inspections at an alarming rate.
The Slurpee-serving store failed 47 percent of inspections in Colorado and Utah and a whopping 79 percent in Ontario County, New York.
A spokesperson for Circle K said that the company is "committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations". The spokesperson said the chain's mission "is to make our customers' lives a little easier every day. So their satisfaction is a top priority. We take customer concerns seriously and are always working to improve their experience in our stores."
