Global fast-food chain McDonald’s is making a major strategic push into India’s technology space, announcing plans to invest $100 million (approximately ₹875 crore) in its new global office in Hyderabad over the next two years. The initiative is expected to generate around 2,000 tech jobs by 2027, as the company expands its digital and AI capabilities worldwide.
Speaking at the GCC X Hyderabad Summit, Deshant Kaila, Head of Global Business Services (GBS) Operations at McDonald’s, confirmed the investment. “The investment this year and next will be around $100 million, including capital expenditure,” Kaila said, signaling a long-term commitment to the region.
The Hyderabad office, which will be McDonald’s largest global tech hub outside the United States, is set to become a nerve center for advanced digital operations. The company is positioning India as a key hub for platform architecture, data governance, and engineering, all of which are critical to McDonald’s AI-first approach to the future of fast food.
“We’re still in the early stages, so it’s hard to pin down the exact investment numbers beyond 2026,” Kaila added, indicating that the scale of the initiative may grow further.
AI at the Core of McDonald’s Tech Strategy
As part of a broader transformation, McDonald’s plans to “double down” on artificial intelligence investments by 2027. The company has already deployed AI-powered tools across 400 restaurants globally to verify orders before they are handed to customers, aiming to eliminate errors and improve customer experience.
Durga Prakash, Head of Technology for Global Offices at McDonald’s, noted that the rollout of AI tools is expected to scale up to 40,000 restaurants worldwide over the next few years. “We’re using AI not just for order verification, but also for forecasting sales, setting dynamic pricing, and evaluating product performance across markets,” Prakash said.
Additionally, McDonald’s is working on developing a personalized mobile app that will offer tailored experiences to customers based on location, behavior, and preferences. The app will be rolled out globally, with much of the backend architecture and customization work led from India.
India’s Strategic Role in the Global Vision
India’s growing reputation as a hub for Global Capability Centers (GCCs) has played a central role in McDonald’s decision to expand its tech footprint in the country. While GCCs were initially seen as cost-effective outsourcing options, they have evolved into innovation engines driving digital transformation and R&D for multinational corporations.
Earlier this year, the Telangana state government announced that McDonald’s had chosen Hyderabad for its next-generation global capability center. The center is expected to contribute not just in terms of technical delivery but also in shaping the company’s digital roadmap.
While 2,000 hires are on the roadmap, McDonald’s says the bulk of the investment will go into building sophisticated platforms, tools, and AI infrastructure rather than scaling headcount alone.
“The India push will focus more on technology and tools, not just people,” Kaila emphasized.
Expanding the Global Tech Network
Following the success of its offices in India and Mexico, McDonald’s is also exploring the launch of a similar global capability center in Poland, according to Durga Prakash. The company’s strategy reflects a broader shift in global operations, where regional centers play a pivotal role in driving innovation, automation, and digital growth.
Having entered India in 1996, McDonald’s now operates hundreds of restaurants across the country and continues to deepen its investment in the region. With the Hyderabad tech center poised to become a cornerstone of its global digital ecosystem, the fast-food chain is clearly betting that the future of burgers is as much about bytes as it is about bites.
