Key facts
- McDonald's is accused of using AI-powered tools to fix menu prices.
- Plaintiffs allege McDonald's pressures franchisees to use its "pricing engine".
- McDonald's denies the allegations, stating franchisees set prices individually.
- McDonald's claims AI does not set prices for menu items.
A federal antitrust lawsuit has been filed against McDonald's, alleging that the fast-food company uses artificial intelligence-powered tools to fix menu prices. The plaintiffs claim that McDonald's pressures its franchisees to adopt its "pricing engine" or face potential loss of their franchise status.
McDonald's has denied these allegations. The company stated that individual franchisees are responsible for setting their own menu prices and that its AI tools do not determine prices for menu items.