Soon, No More Free Drink Refills at McDonald's
Newser • • business
Key Points:
- McDonald's will eliminate all self-serve drink stations in its approximately 14,000 US restaurants by 2032, shifting drink service entirely to employees to better control portion sizes, cleanliness, and maintenance costs.
- This change aligns with McDonald's broader strategy to focus on drive-thru, delivery, and takeout services, as digital orders now account for about 40% of the chain's US revenue.
- The company is also enhancing its beverage offerings with six new specialty drinks, including lemonade-based refreshers and crafted sodas with cold foam, following tests at its closed CosMc's concept.
- McDonald's plans to introduce behind-the-counter "beverage specialists" in US locations to support the new drink service model and is promoting value-focused deals to attract customers amid these changes.
- Some restaurants have already begun removing self-serve drink stations and other lobby amenities, signaling the gradual rollout of this initiative during remodeling efforts.
