McDonald's Corp (NYSE:MCD) is removing all its self-serve drink machines in the US as it aims to provide a more consistent experience for customers across its digital, in-store and drive-through channels.
Unlike in the UK and parts of Europe, some McDonald’s restaurants in the US offer unlimited refills with your meal, but diners Stateside will now have to wait for a staff member to provide them with their free refill.
Removal of all the fast-food group’s “beverage stations” is not expected to be completed until 2032 and a spokesperson confirmed these changes would not impact international locations.
Some sites across the US have already begun removing the self-service machines, with customers taking to X/Twitter to express their annoyance at having to queue for a refill.
"If they had them, I could have refilled it myself in less than 30 seconds," one customer wrote on the social media platform.
Others noted how the changes would mean customers could no longer mix different drinks together, as one person tweeted, “say goodbye to hybrid drinks”.
Close to 40% of McDonald’s revenues worldwide now comes from digital orders, which include app, delivery and automated kiosk purchases, according to the company’s second-quarter trading update, and this change may emphasise a change in the chain’s focus.
Experimenting with several new ideas, McDonald’s latest innovations include opening an automated restaurant in Texas, planning a spinoff brand called CosMc’s, introducing new “pillowy” buns and selling Krispy Kremes.
McDonald’s shares are up more than 6% this year and closed trading on Tuesday at around US$281.