The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that McDonald's is feeling pressure to keep up with its peers, and is moving to head off the competition. An Associated Press dispatch to The Globe says that Starbucks plans to open 55,000 outlets globally by 2030, up from 38,000 today. McDonald's also has a multiyear partnership with Google Cloud. Moving restaurant computations into the cloud -- versus relying on slower servers -- will speed up things such as menu recommendations at ordering kiosks or in the drive-thru lane. The new system will also help managers optimize staffing by, say, recommending an additional staffer at a drink machine if demand warrants it. McDonald's chief financial officer Ian Borden said the company has the confidence to invest in new outlets and new technology because of its strong performance. McDonald's same-store sales rose nearly 9 per cent worldwide in the third quarter, even as U.S. traffic fell slightly. The company is focused on core menu items such as Quarter Pounders and fries which, according to McDonald's, make up 65 per cent of sales systemwide. Burgers with softer, freshly toasted buns, meltier cheese and more Big Mac sauce are coming to U.S. restaurants by the end of 2024.