McDonald’s Continues To Phase Out Popular Restaurant Feature Nationwide

McDonald’s has ticked off many customers as it continues making an unpopular change to its restaurants.

The fast-food behemoth announced in 2023 that it planned to gradually phase out self-serve beverage stations. That was not an idle threat, as many customers are now seeing this change implemented at their local McDonald’s.

“This change is intended to create a consistent experience for both customers and crew across all ordering points, whether that’s McDelivery, the app, kiosk, drive-thru or in-restaurant,” the company told USA Today in a statement in 2023.

McDonald’s confirmed that the plan was moving forward despite significant backlash.

“As confirmed in 2023, McDonald’s will be transitioning away from self-serve beverage stations in dining rooms across the U.S. by 2032,” the company told Fox Business this week, giving a nearly identical statement. “The change is being rolled out over 10 years, and is intended to create a consistent experience for both customers and crew across all ordering points, whether that’s McDelivery, the app, kiosk, drive-thru or in-restaurant.”

The change is being seen as a move away from in-store dining in favor of drive-thru, delivery, and digital orders. This lines up with many restaurants being remodeled and removing play places for kids, plus generally changing the aesthetic to be more muted and modern. 

Beverages, one of the biggest sources of profit for the company, remain a focus for McDonald’s. Sodas have a profit margin of up to 90%, with the fast-food restaurant charging $1.50 to $4 for an item that costs 10 to 40 cents per cup, including product, packaging, and labor.

The company told Fox Business in a statement that it would introduce new items to the lineup, including “dirty sodas” that have been going viral online. 

“Our fans’ love for McDonald’s beverages runs deep … Next month, we’re building on that passion with a new era of beverages, featuring a variety of Refreshers and crafted sodas rolling out nationwide,” the statement said.