McDonald’s customers may soon see more than burgers, fries and other menu items on the screens they use to order.
The fast-food giant said during the company’s Investor Day presentation Sept. 23 that it is launching the McDonald’s Media Network, a new advertising business that will allow other companies to place ads across McDonald’s digital platforms and restaurant screens.
McDonald’s began testing the idea in August 2026 at 450 company-owned U.S. restaurants, the chain said during the presentation. This does not include franchisees which are independently owned and operated.
The pilot features advertising from other companies on digital drive-thru menu boards after customers place their orders, according to CNBC.
McDonald’s hopes the media network
can eventually become a $1 billion business, Global Chief Marketing Officer Morgan Flatley said during the presentation.
Where will McDonald’s ads appear?
The initial test is limited to drive-thru screens, but the broader McDonald’s Media Network could eventually put third-party ads on nearly every digital screen in its restaurants.
That includes menu boards and self-order kiosks in addition to drive-thru screens, according to information presented during Investor Day. McDonald’s showed an example of a Geico ad taking over part of a drive-thru menu screen.
The pilot is intended to test "post-purchase content" that customers may find helpful, relevant or interesting, People reported.
"This limited menu board advertising pilot at select company-owned restaurants is exploring ways to share post-purchase content that customers may find helpful, relevant, or interesting, while ensuring the McDonald’s experience remains at the center of every visit," McDonald’s said in a statement to People.
The company said tests and pilots are part of how it evaluates new ideas before expanding them.
USA TODAY reached out to McDonald’s for comment.
Why is McDonald’s selling ads?
McDonald’s is entering a growing advertising market known as commerce media, in which companies use their customer relationships, digital platforms and other assets to sell advertising.
"Commerce media is one of the fastest-growing areas in advertising, and it’s expected to reach more than $100 billion in the U.S. alone by 2028," Flatley said.
McDonald’s already has a large customer base and loyalty program. CFO Ian Borden said about 85% of the U.S. population visits a McDonald’s restaurant at least once a year. The company also has about 220 million active loyalty members worldwide.
Flatley said McDonald’s uses loyalty-program data to group customers based on their habits and tailor promotions.
"The more our fans engage with us, the more we learn about them as individuals," she said.
Now, the company plans to use its reach and digital infrastructure for advertising from other businesses as well.
McDonald’s follows Amazon, Walmart
McDonald’s is following companies including Amazon and Walmart, which have built advertising businesses around their own platforms and customer reach.
Amazon reported $68.6 billion in advertising services sales in 2025, while Walmart said its U.S. advertising business grew 43% in its fiscal second quarter, CNBC reported.
McDonald's new $8.5 billion strategy
The McDonald’s Media Network comes as the company is also investing heavily in its restaurants and technology through its McDonald’s > NEXT strategy.
Also announced at Investor Day, McDonald’s plans to provide about $8.5 billion in support to franchisees through 2036 to help modernize restaurants, expand technology and improve operations.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: You may notice this the next time you're at a McDonald's drive-thru
