HYDERABAD: American fast food giant McDonald’s is set to deepen its global tech footprint with a major investment of $100 million (approx. ₹875 crore) in its new global office in Hyderabad over the next two years. The company also plans to ramp up hiring, aiming to onboard around 2,000 tech professionals by early 2027, a top executive confirmed on Friday.
“We’ve just started operations three months ago with about 100 people. By year-end, we’ll grow to 500. The target is 2,000 by early 2027,” said Deshant Kaila, Head of Global Business Services (GBS) Operations at McDonald’s, speaking at the GCC X Hyderabad summit, organized by HYSEA and 3AI.
A Global Tech and Innovation Hub
Kaila said the Hyderabad office will serve as a global center for corporate operations, including finance, people services, and the development of enterprise platforms and technology infrastructure. Key focus areas include:
- Cybersecurity
- Enterprise data architecture
- Data governance and engineering
- AI and data insights
The team is already working on projects that use AI and data analytics to solve complex business challenges, including enhancing customer personalization and loyalty.
“One of our major goals is to build a unified global app. Right now, the McDonald’s app in India doesn’t work elsewhere. Creating a single, globalized app will require significant enterprise-wide tech integration,” Kaila said.
Edge AI and Smart Kitchens
Dr Durga Prakash, Head of Technology (Global Offices), revealed that McDonald’s tech teams are pioneering edge AI solutions, already deployed in 400 restaurants worldwide. These systems use vision cameras and AI algorithms to ensure that orders are accurately assembled before reaching customers, minimizing errors and increasing efficiency.
“This is part of our larger vision to connect 40,000 restaurants globally, not just through software but through internet-connected smart kitchens,” Dr Prakash said.
Why Hyderabad?
Hyderabad continues to emerge as a global destination for technology and innovation, with McDonald’s joining a growing list of international corporations establishing major tech hubs in the city. The decision reflects the city’s robust talent pool and strong digital infrastructure.
With this investment, McDonald’s aims not just to transform its own global operations, but also to push the boundaries of technology in the food service industry—redefining customer experiences, operational efficiency, and digital personalization on a global scale.
