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● LIVE Updated 1h ago · 9 sources tracked

Why McDonald's is following Walmart and Amazon into the advertising business

McDonald's is entering the advertising business by selling digital menu board space to third-party brands. The company has launched a media network and is currently piloting the program in 450 US restaurants. The strategy involves placing ads on drive-thru and in-store screens, with plans to leverage customer data to sell targeted advertisements. This move follows a trend seen with retail giants like Walmart and Amazon, as the fast-food chain seeks to monetize its digital ecosystem.

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⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
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  • ✓ McDonald's is testing the placement of ads for other brands on its digital menu screens.
  • ✓ The company is selling ad space on its drive-thru menus.
  • ✓ The pilot program is currently active in 450 US restaurants.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 9 independent reporting domains (90% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

McDonald's has transitioned from testing to launching a formal media network with a specific revenue target.

Live updates

  1. McDonald's Launches Media Network to Sell Digital Ad Space

    McDonald's is entering the advertising business by selling digital menu board space to third-party brands. The company has launched a media network and is currently piloting the program in 450 US restaurants. The strategy involves placing ads on drive-thru and in-store screens, with plans to leverage customer data to sell targeted advertisements. This move follows a trend seen with retail giants like Walmart and Amazon, as the fast-food chain seeks to monetize its digital ecosystem.

    Why it matters

    The shift toward retail media networks allows companies to turn their customer touchpoints into revenue streams. By utilizing existing digital infrastructure, McDonald's can generate high-margin income from brands wanting access to its massive customer base.

    What is confirmed

    • McDonald's is testing the placement of ads for other brands on its digital menu screens.
    • The company is selling ad space on its drive-thru menus.
    • The pilot program is currently active in 450 US restaurants.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The company plans to use customer data to sell targeted ads.

    What to watch next

    • Expansion of the pilot program beyond 450 US locations
    • Reports on actual ad revenue generated from the media network
    • Details on the specific brands purchasing the menu board space
    Sources used for this update (9)
    1. CNBC — Why McDonald's is following Walmart and Amazon into the advertising business
    2. Bloomberg — McDonald’s Tests Placing Ads for Other Brands on Menu Screens
    3. The Verge — McDonald’s is testing ads on its drive-thru menus
    4. PYMNTS.com — McDonald’s Tests Selling Digital Menu Board Ad Space to Other Brands
    5. Kotaku — McDonald's Cramming Ads For Other Brands Into The Drive-Thru While You Wait To Pull Forward
    6. Marketing Dive — Inside McDonald’s new marketing model as it enters media network fray
    7. MediaPost — McDonald's To Launch Media Network, Runs Ads In Some Stores 09/24/2026
    8. gizmodo.com — McDonald’s Is Putting Ads in Its Drive-Thru… and Everywhere Else
    9. www.storyboard18.com — McDonald’s targets $1 billion media business, putting restaurant screens on the advertising map
    confidence 90%
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