McDonald's launches drone delivery in Shanghai

McDonald's has launched its first drone-based food delivery route in Shanghai, China. In collaboration with the Chinese delivery service Meituan, the company is delivering Big Macs and other orders via drones directly to customers at designated delivery kiosks in a waterfront district.

The route has been established in the West Bund area of Shanghai's Xuhui district. Consumers can order food through the Meituan app, and drones will deliver the orders within minutes to specialized McDonald's kiosks. This expansion utilizes China's growing "low-altitude economy" for food logistics.

Meituan has spent years developing its drone delivery system, achieving a high degree of safety. The drones can carry up to 2.5 kilograms of food and typically complete deliveries in under 10 minutes. The system is designed to operate in various weather conditions, including rain and snow, though operations are suspended in severe winds.

McDonald's and Meituan conducted experimental trials in Shenzhen before establishing this Shanghai route. The companies plan to expand the service to cover more areas. Currently, approximately 20 brands utilize Meituan's drone delivery services in China.