You came back from Worldwide knowing two things. The convention was great, and January 1, 2027 is not as far away as it looked six months ago.
Seven months. For a single-location operator, that is still manageable if you start now. For a franchisee running eight, ten, or fifteen restaurants, the math has already started working against you.
We talk to McDonald's franchisees across Georgia, South Carolina, and Ohio every week. Here is what we are actually seeing in the market heading into the second half of 2026.
A significant portion of operators have heard about the deadline. Fewer have done anything about it. The most common thing we hear is some version of: we know we need to do this, we just have not gotten to it yet.
That is an understandable place to be. There are always more urgent things on the list. But NRBES 2027 is different from most compliance items because the installation itself takes time, and installation capacity among certified providers is finite.
This is where most franchisees underestimate the scope. Moving from analog to IP-CCTV is not a camera swap. Most locations that were previously running analog systems need new cabling runs to every required zone, because IP cameras require Cat5 or Cat6 PoE infrastructure that analog systems do not have.
A full compliance installation covers:
For a single location, CGS completes most NRBES compliance installations in 2 to 3 days. For a multi-unit operator, the math is straightforward: 10 locations is potentially 20 to 30 installation days that need to be scheduled, sequenced, and executed without disrupting daily service.
This is worth reviewing even if you have read it before, because the scope surprises a lot of operators who assumed it was a camera upgrade.
NRBES 2027 requires every McDonald's restaurant to migrate from analog CCTV to IP-CCTV. That means:
The cabling is the piece most operators underestimate. Every IP camera requires its own dedicated PoE cable run. Most locations that were previously running analog systems have none of this infrastructure in place. Getting it in requires time, access to the building, and a certified technician who knows what compliant looks like.
Certified OTP providers have a finite number of technicians and a finite number of install days available between now and December 31, 2026. That capacity is already filling.
Operators who book assessments now get their preferred scheduling windows. They have time to address complications at individual locations without being rushed. They finish with documentation complete and nothing to worry about when their Franchise Business Partner runs a compliance review.
Operators who wait until Q3 or Q4 will be competing for whatever capacity remains. Some will not get scheduled in time. Others will rush installations and end up with compliance gaps that require follow-up visits. Both scenarios create risk that is entirely avoidable if the process starts now.
The first step is not signing a contract. It is a site assessment. The assessment tells you exactly what you have at each location, what needs to be replaced, what cabling infrastructure needs to go in, and how long the full process will take across your portfolio. It is the difference between making a plan and guessing.
CGS is a McDonald's OTP-certified provider completing NRBES 2027 compliance installations across Georgia, South Carolina, and Ohio. If you have not yet started your compliance assessment, contact us. The timeline is still manageable. It will not stay that way much longer.
Can I upgrade my existing analog system to meet the NRBES standard?
No. The NRBES 2027 standard requires IP-CCTV with Cat5 or Cat6 PoE cabling infrastructure. Analog systems cannot be upgraded to meet this standard. Full replacement and new cabling infrastructure is required at every location.
How long does a single-location installation take?
CGS completes most single-location NRBES 2027 installations in approximately 3 days. For a multi-unit operator, that is 20 to 30 installation days for a 10-location portfolio that need to be planned, sequenced, and executed without disrupting daily service.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
McDonald's typically issues a correction window of 30 to 90 days after a violation is flagged. However, NRBES non-compliance also affects your Reinvestment National Franchising Standard assessment and your standing with your Franchise Business Partner. The risk extends well beyond the camera system itself.
Start Your NRBES 2027 Assessment Before Scheduling Fills Up
CGS is a McDonald's OTP-certified provider completing NRBES 2027 compliance installations across Georgia, South Carolina, and Ohio. The first step is a no-cost site assessment. It tells you exactly what each location needs and how long the full process will take across your portfolio. Scheduling windows are filling now.
About the Author
Written by Grant Wycliff, President of CGS. Grant works with McDonald's franchisees across Georgia, South Carolina, and Ohio on NRBES 2027 compliance installations and OTP-certified technology service. CGS has certified technicians on staff completing IP-CCTV compliance work across multi-unit portfolios ahead of the January 1, 2027 deadline. Connect with us on LinkedIn.
Fill out this form to schedule a call or in-person meeting.