McDonald's sued over AI menu pricing after 21% higher Big Mac

The lawsuit puts a spotlight on how fast-food prices are set at a time when budget-conscious families are already stretching their dollars. The complaint centers on a Fresno, California example where a Big Mac cost 21% more at one McDonald's than another just two miles away, a gap the plaintiff attributes to AI-driven pricing. McDonald's rejects that characterization. The company says its franchisees have the final say in pricing decisions and has denied using AI for menu pricing, publishing a fact-check sheet on its website at the beginning of October to address the allegations. How the case proceeds may hinge on whether the plaintiff can show a direct link between AI tools and the price differences customers experience.