California McDonald’s Locations See Price Discrepancies for Identical Menu Items

McDonald’s customers in California are reporting price differences of a dollar or more for identical menu items at restaurants located just a mile apart. According to the New York Post, an AI-powered pricing tool is being used to provide recommendations to franchisees based on local data and competitor pricing. While the company maintains that AI does not set final prices and that franchisees retain control, the practice has sparked consumer attention regarding regional price variations.