No, according to McDonald’s. In an October 1, 2026 statement, the company said its AI tool does not set or change Big Mac prices or determine what an individual customer pays. It says the tool provides restaurant-specific recommendations, while franchisees make the pricing decisions. A newly filed lawsuit challenges the tool on antitrust grounds, but its allegations are disputed and have not been established in court.
What McDonald’s says its AI pricing tool does
McDonald’s says the tool gives restaurant operators information to help them make pricing decisions; it does not set menu prices. In its October 1, 2026 statement, the company said the tool does not estimate an individual customer’s willingness to pay, change prices in real time or by time of day, or determine what a particular customer pays. The company summarized its position this way: “The tool provides information. People make the final pricing decisions.”
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
McDonald’s describes the recommendations as restaurant-specific and based on local market dynamics. The Associated Press reported that the company identified store sales, location, and competitors’ prices as inputs. The available accounts do not establish the tool’s full technical design or every data input independently. Franchisees may reject its recommendations and decide what prices to charge.
Restaurant-level recommendations are not the same as personalized prices
Different prices at different restaurants do not, on their own, show that customers are being charged according to personal profiles. The distinction is what information determines the price and who or what makes the final decision.
#1 Best Overall
- Valued Carpenter Pencil Set: You will get 2 pcs solid carpenter pencils with 26 piece 2.8 mm refills, 1 replaceable sharpener, 1 plastic storage box.The complete carpenter pencils combination allows you to finish your work faster and more easily
- Deep Hole Marker Pencil: The deep-hole construction pencils adopts 45mm elongated tip design, which is more convenient to mark in the small hole or in other tight areas that other carpenter markers cannot reach
- Carpenter Pencils with Sharpener: The sharpener is screwed into the top of the work pencil, which won't get lost either. Built-in pencil sharpener that keep the lead with pointed and smooth to Improves line of sight in fine work
- Stronger Solid Lead: This work pencil is matched with a 2.8 mm thick lead , which is much thicker and stronger during the drawing process of construction work, it will not break or damage easily
- Marks on Various Surfaces: 3 colors solid construction pencil can marks on various surfaces,such as metal, plastic, wood, paper etc. Ideals for woodworkers, contractors, craftsmen, builders, merchants and masons
| Pricing approach | What it means | What the evidence says here |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant-level recommendations | Software offers pricing guidance for a location; a restaurant operator makes the decision. | McDonald’s says its tool works this way and franchisees set prices. Company statement |
| Dynamic pricing | Prices change in response to conditions such as demand or inventory. | The FTC says this may be used if pricing information is not misleading. FTC FAQ |
| Personalized or surveillance pricing | Prices or promotions are tailored using consumer characteristics, data, or behavior. | FTC staff described this broader market practice; that analysis does not establish that McDonald’s uses it. FTC staff release |
The FTC’s May 2025 FAQ discusses dynamic pricing in connection with demand or inventory. That is different from tailoring an offer to a person based on individual data. Neither the fact that a price varies between locations nor the use of an algorithm proves that a customer-specific price is being charged.
Why surveillance pricing is part of the debate
In January 2025, FTC staff released an initial analysis of information from six organizations working in pricing or related services: Mastercard, Accenture, PROS, Bloomreach, Revionics, and McKinsey & Co. Staff described data that can include location, demographics, browsing and shopping history, mouse movements, and cart activity as inputs used to target prices or promotions. The release also included hypothetical examples and described a broader intermediary market—not a finding about McDonald’s or Big Macs.
Rank #2
- Ergonomically Designed: Work in tight areas with a compact design that gets into tough spots
- Both tools are designed to fit into difficult to reach spaces
- Complete a wide range of applications with a high-performance motor that delivers up to 300 UWO, and an impact driver delivering up to 1,400 in-lbs of torque
- Both the DEWALT impact driver and drill driver feature integrated LED work lights with a convenient 20-second delay, ensuring enhanced visibility in dimly lit or challenging work areas
- One-Handed Loading - Keep one hand free with a 1/4 in. hex chuck that accepts 1 in. bit tips
The FTC opened its inquiry in 2024 to understand whether and how firms use detailed consumer data for surveillance pricing, including the role of intermediaries. The inquiry and staff’s initial analysis help explain why individualized pricing draws scrutiny, but they should not be treated as proof that a particular restaurant uses it.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What the McDonald’s lawsuit alleges—and what it does not prove
The Associated Press reported on October 6, 2026, that a consumer lawsuit filed in Illinois alleges McDonald’s AI-enhanced pricing tool shares nonpublic information among franchisees and raises antitrust concerns. McDonald’s called the allegations inaccurate and said its tools do not automate, coordinate, or fix prices. The company also told AP that franchisees, not AI, set menu prices.
Rank #3
- 【Great Compatibility】This Katerk 1/4 inch hex shank bit holder is specifically designed for 1/4 inch hex shank drill bits. It's compatible with most 1/4 fast hex handles, hex sockets, various electric screwdrivers, and handheld screwdrivers. The bit holder makes it a valuable addition for any handyman.
- 【Secure and Safe】Built with a secure backup nut design, each drill bit holder securely locks onto your bits, ensuring they stay firmly in place. Additionally, our bit holder incorporates a high-quality steel ball rolling design that holds up to several kilograms of weight, ensuring your various drill bits don't fall off.
- 【Easy One-Handed Operation】The bit holder for impact driver allows you to change bits single-handedly, simplifying your workflow. Its multi-color design further allows for quick identification of the drill bit you need.
- 【Compact and Convenient】Thanks to its compact size, this 1/4 inch bit holder is easy to carry around. The bit holder allows for easy attachment to various tools, making this a convenient addition to your construction accessories. The Katerk bit holder is cast from high-quality alloy material, promising a long product lifespan. Despite its rugged strength, the bit holder remains lightweight, making it portable.
- 【Cool Christmas Gift For Men Stocking Stuffers】 This screwdriver bit holder, driver bit holder, impact bit holder, can be given as a gift to your loved one, especially for anyone involved in construction or electrical work. It's a must-have for stocking stuffers for men and women, tools gifts for dad, tech gadgets for men, gifts for dad, gifts for him, gifts for husband, gifts for boyfriend, cool gadgets for men, and cool gifts for dad.
These are competing claims in an unresolved lawsuit, not a court finding that the tool violates antitrust law or charges individual customers different prices. AP reported that McDonald’s said it has used an AI-enhanced pricing tool for more than a decade; that history is a reported company statement, not independent verification of how the system has operated throughout that period.
How to assess claims about AI-set food prices
When a claim says an algorithm is pricing a meal, look for answers to four questions:
Rank #4
- Long Nib and Deep Hole Marker: Our mechanical carpenter pencil with 45mm nib is designed for easy marking of deep holes or narrow areas. These construction pencils are the great choice for woodworking tools, construction tools, carpenter tools, contractor tools, wood carpentry tools and architect tools
- Extra Refills in 2 Colors for Versatile Marking: The construction mechanical pencil comes with 12 extra 2.8mm refills, including 6 red and 6 black refills. The black refill is suitable for light surfaces, while the red wax is perfect for dark surfaces. Our carpenter mechanical pencil makes sure that you'll have an ample supply for extended use
- Built-in Sharpener: Our construction pencil comes with a built-in sharpener to ensure the mechanical pencil tip is always sharp and ready for use. Never buy an extra pencil sharpener again. A great tool for any woodworker pencil, contractor pencils. The refill can easily be extended or retracted with a simple click of the pencils mechanical, allowing you to work more efficiently and accurately
- Portable Clip Design: Our deep hole construction pencil features a portable clip design, easy to carry and attach to your pocket or tool box, so that you can keep the carpenter pencils mechanical close at hand, making it a convenient tool to have on the go. Great gifts choice for carpenters
- Stronger Pencil Lead: The black refills are made of lead, sturdy and smooth. The red refills are made of wax, clear and light. These marking pencils are much thicker and stronger than normal pencils during the marking process of construction work, suitable for various surfaces, such as glasses, metal, boards, floors, walls, furniture, etc. The written marks can be easily wiped with a wet paper towel when needed
- What are the inputs? Local conditions such as location and competitors’ prices are not the same as an individual customer’s browsing behavior or inferred willingness to pay.
- Who decides? A tool that recommends a restaurant price is different from software that automatically sets the amount charged to a customer.
- When does the price change? A price that responds to demand or inventory is a different claim from one that varies by customer profile. McDonald’s says its tool does not change prices in real time or by time of day.
- What kind of evidence supports the claim? Separate a company’s description, a regulator’s broad-market study, a lawsuit allegation, and a court’s finding. They do not carry the same weight.
What the FTC’s current position does—and does not—mean
In August 2026, the FTC announced that it was seeking comments on a proposed enforcement policy statement concerning personalized pricing. The announcement said the agency cannot ban personalized pricing in every circumstance. It describes a proposal, not a final rule or a blanket prohibition; its later status is not established here.
The FTC’s May 2025 FAQ says demand- or inventory-based dynamic pricing may be used when pricing information is not misleading. Its explanations of fee disclosures and promotions should not be read as a claim that all price differences are prohibited.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Milwaukee Ink all Fine Point Marker, Black, 4 Per Pack
- 4 per pack Features Clog Resistant Marker Tip Writes through Dusty, Wet and Oily Surfaces Durable Marker Tip for Writing on Concrete, OSB and Rough Surfaces
- Clog resistant tip writes on dusty, wet and oily surfaces and is optimized for rough surfaces such as OSB, cinderblock and concrete
- Hard hat clip- attaches for easy access
- Quick dry time with reduced smearing and marking
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
