Sep 23, 2026 · 6 min

McDonald’s bets $8.5 billion as IonQ clears a quantum hurdle

McDonald's Declines Most in 17 Months; IonQ Rallies; Cracker Barrel Gains

The episode contrasts a costly restaurant turnaround with a technical breakthrough that could reshape commercial quantum computing.

3 key takeaways

1McDonald’s shares fall as the company commits roughly $8.5 billion to franchisee support, modernization, technology, and service.
2IonQ rallies after announcing error-correction technology that lets a standard processor manage quantum errors in real time.
3Cracker Barrel gains after forecasting stronger fiscal 2027 adjusted EBITDA while outlining its turnaround.

Don't miss

IonQ’s quantum-computing announcement stands out because real-time error management could address a major barrier to scaling commercial quantum computers.

The brief

Bloomberg reporter Judy LaGrua joins the Stock Movers Report to examine three companies moving for very different reasons: a costly turnaround, a quantum breakthrough, and a stronger forecast.

McDonald’s shares approach their lowest level since 2022 as the company commits roughly $8.5 billion to franchisee support, restaurant modernization, technology, and service improvements.

IonQ rallies after announcing that a standard computer processor can manage quantum errors in real time, potentially removing a major obstacle to larger commercial quantum computers.

Cracker Barrel gains after issuing a stronger-than-expected fiscal 2027 adjusted EBITDA forecast and discussing the turnaround behind the restaurant chain’s improved outlook.

The episode’s central contrast is simple: McDonald’s is spending heavily to repair an established business, while IonQ’s advance points toward a still-emerging technology.

What was said on this episode

7 statements · 5 positive · 1 negative · 1 neutral

Judy LaGruaon McDonald'sNegative0:55
McDonald’s shares are on track to reach their lowest price since October 2022.
“shares are on track actually to reach their lowest price since October 2022”
Listen at 0:55
Judy LaGruaon McDonald'sPositive1:05
McDonald’s is allocating roughly $8.5 billion to attract diners.
“the company announced that it is earmarking roughly $8.5 billion to bring diners back”
Listen at 1:05
Judy LaGruaon McDonald'sNeutral1:26
McDonald’s is promoting more chicken sandwiches as beef prices rise.
“McDonald's is also pushing to sell more chicken sandwiches as beef prices rise”
Listen at 1:26
Judy LaGruaon IonQ quantum-computing breakthroughPositive2:55
IonQ’s breakthrough removes a major obstacle to larger commercial quantum computers.
“this removes a major obstacle to building larger, more commercially successful quantum computers”
Listen at 2:55
Judy LaGruaon Cracker BarrelPositive3:32
Cracker Barrel’s stock is up roughly 80% year to date.
“The stock itself actually is up roughly 80% year to date as of Tuesday's close”
Listen at 3:32
Judy LaGruaon Cracker Barrel adjusted profit forecastPositive3:40
Cracker Barrel’s adjusted profit forecast beat estimates.
“the restaurant chain provided an adjusted profit forecast that beat estimates”
Listen at 3:40
Judy LaGruaon Cracker Barrel fourth-quarter resultsPositive3:45
Cracker Barrel’s fourth-quarter profit and sales beat expectations.
“The company, excuse me, also reported 4th quarter profit and sales that beat expectations”
Listen at 3:45

Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.