Overview
Through its strategic partnership with Expleo, McDonald’s successfully mastered the complexities of implementing a global AI strategy. The collaborative efforts led to a scalable, efficient, and compliant AI framework that continues to drive innovation and excellence in the fast-food industry.
Watch the story with speakers
- Stephanie Giardina, Senior Manager, Enterprise Data Governance, McDonald’s
- David Tischler, Key Account Management, Data Practice, Expleo
- John Tucker, Director of Enterprise Data Governance, McDonald’s
Ambition
In the fast-paced world of global fast food, McDonald’s sought to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance customer experiences and streamline operations. Central to this ambition was the establishment of a robust data governance framework, ensuring that AI initiatives were both effective and compliant. To achieve this, McDonald’s partnered with Expleo, a renowned technology and engineering consultancy, to spearhead the transformation.
Challenge
With over 40,000 restaurants and a workforce exceeding 2.2 million worldwide, McDonald’s faced the monumental task of managing vast amounts of data generated daily. The primary challenges included:
- Data Silos: Disparate data sources across various regions and departments hindered unified data access and analysis.
- Compliance and Risk Management: Ensuring that AI deployments adhered to global regulations and internal policies was paramount.
- Scalability: Implementing AI solutions that could be seamlessly scaled across all outlets, maintaining consistency and quality.
Solution
Expleo collaborated closely with McDonald’s and our partner Collibra to address these challenges through a multifaceted approach:
1 – Establishing a Unified Data Governance Framework:
Leveraging their expertise, Expleo assisted McDonald’s in implementing a centralised data governance model. This framework facilitated:
- Enhanced Data Discovery: Providing stakeholders with a clear view of available data assets, reducing time spent on data discovery and accelerating insights.
- Improved Data Quality: Standardising data definitions and ensuring consistency across all platforms.
2 – Integrating AI Governance with Collibra:
Recognising the need for specialised tools, Expleo guided the integration of Collibra’s AI Governance platform. This integration enabled:
- Lifecycle Management: Overseeing AI models from ideation through to deployment and post-production, ensuring accountability and continuous monitoring.
- Risk Assessment: Implementing rigorous checks on vendors, data sources, and AI use cases to evaluate potential impacts and compliance requirements.
3 – Accelerating Use Case Deployment:
By streamlining processes and fostering cross-functional collaboration, Expleo helped McDonald’s reduce the time required to develop and deploy AI use cases, ensuring rapid realisation of value.
Results
The partnership between McDonald’s and Expleo yielded significant benefits:
- Operational Efficiency: AI-driven tools optimised various aspects of restaurant operations, from inventory management to customer service enhancements.
- Personalised Customer Experience: Utilising AI, McDonald’s tailored offerings to individual preferences, boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Enhanced Compliance and Risk Mitigation: The robust governance framework ensured that all AI initiatives met regulatory standards and internal policies, reducing potential risks.
