MCD · Earnings call · 2026Q3T · Full report

Restaurant Modernization and Capacity

MCDONALDS CORP · 2026-11-04 · Importance 31 · Surprise 42

McDonald’s has begun opening remodeled NEXT restaurants, with the first international location opening in Poland followed by Spain. The redesigned restaurants feature updated customer spaces, kitchen layouts, and equipment intended to support future menu innovation and execution, alongside the Arch IQ operating platform. Management plans to begin remodeling hundreds of U.S. restaurants in 2027 and ramp to more than 5,000 remodels annually globally beginning in 2028. The NEXT restaurant design also includes increased back-of-house beverage-cell capacity to support a broader beverage assortment.

Key facts

• McDonald’s plans to begin remodeling hundreds of U.S. restaurants in 2027 and ramp to a global rate above 5,000 restaurants annually beginning in 2028.
• McDonald’s opened its first international remodeled NEXT restaurant in Poland a few weeks before the call, followed shortly by one in Spain.
• McDonald’s NEXT remodels will increase back-of-house beverage space to support a broader beverage assortment; the beverage cell is among the most significant remodel investments.
• McDonald’s remodeled restaurant design includes new kitchen layouts and equipment and the Arch IQ restaurant operating platform.