If your usual McDonald’s order seems more expensive than it used to, a new lawsuit is raising questions about how the chain recommends prices to its restaurants. In October 2026, McDonald’s faced legal challenges alleging that its AI-assisted pricing system may help coordinate prices across competing locations. The complaints argue that the technology could undermine competition and contribute to higher menu prices. McDonald’s strongly disputes those claims, saying its software does not set prices and franchisees remain responsible for their own decisions. The cases are still in their early stages, so customers should understand what is actually being alleged before assuming the company uses AI to charge them more.
