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USA Today
5 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
McDonald's to test drinks from shuttering CosMc's spinoff at some restaurants
McDonald's is planning to test a new lineup of drinks inspired by its shuttering spinoff brand, CosMc's, at some restaurants later this summer. The fast food giant announced July 25 that roughly 500 select restaurants in some states will be part of an expanded market test for the drinks. The drinks will be aimed at "blending the best of CosMc's creativity with the convenience you know and love." Some of the drinks that will be in the lineup include a Creamy Vanilla Cold Brew and a Strawberry Watermelon Refresher, McDonald's said. CosMc's is a spinoff concept McDonald's announced in 2023 and rolled out last year. In May, McDonald's said it would be closing its five CosMc's locations, in states including Texas and Illinois, but that it planned to test some of the drinks in its regular restaurants. When is McDonald's introducing CosMc's drinks menu? McDonald's said it will begin rolling out market testing of the CosMc's drinks on Sept. 2. It's unclear how long the test will run for. Which CosMc's drinks will be tested at McDonald's? McDonald's said it's planning on including about 10 drinks in the test. Five were teased in the July 25 announcement, including: Which McDonald's will have CosMc's drinks? About 500 restaurants will be included in the market test, McDonald's said. It includes restaurants across Wisconsin, Colorado and the surrounding areas, according to the chain. McDonald's operates more than 14,000 locations in the United States. What is CosMc's? What to know about McDonald's spinoff brand CosMc's is a spinoff restaurant concept owned by McDonald's. While McDonald's launched five CosMc's in 2024, the company previously announced all of them would close on a rolling basis beginning this past June. The name and futuristic aesthetic of CosMc's was inspired by a mascot of the same name who appeared in ads in the late '80s and early '90s. CosMc's menu primarily features beverages including coffees, teas and frozen drinks. Soft-serve ice cream, sandwiches and small food items are also available. Contributing: Reuters, Mary Walrath-Holdridge Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
What is a dirty soda? The drink taking Gen Z by storm
McDonald's is preparing to launch a new range of 'dirty sodas' and a 'futuristic' menu this autumn, with testing set for 2 September. The fast-food chain aims to attract younger Gen Z customers, citing a growing demand for cold, flavourful drinks as a treat. Inspired by its CosMc's brand, the new beverage line-up includes drinks such as Toasted Vanilla Frappé, Sprite Lunar Splash, and Creamy Vanilla Cold Brew. A 'dirty soda ' is defined as a base soda infused with syrup or a flavoured coffee creamer, popular among teenagers and those who prefer non-alcoholic options. The new drinks will be introduced across more than 500 McDonald's restaurants in Wisconsin, Colorado, and surrounding regions.
CNBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
McDonald's to test CosMc's-inspired drinks at more than 500 restaurants
Something Bold (and Delicious) is Brewing at McDonald's: A First Sip into the Future of Beverages McDonald's said Thursday it is planning to test new coffee drinks, refreshers and flavored sodas at more than 500 restaurants later this summer, hoping to cash in on younger consumers' love for fun, colorful drinks. "We're seeing real momentum in beverages, with more people – especially our Gen Z fans – turning to cold, flavorful drinks as a go-to treat," Alyssa Buetikofer, chief customer experience and marketing officer of McDonald's USA, said in a statement. "It's a great opportunity for us to meet our US customers' evolving tastes and show up in new moments, like afternoon refreshment or snack breaks." The test lineup includes Creamy Vanilla Cold Brew, Strawberry Watermelon Refresher, Toasted Vanilla Frappe, Sprite Lunar Splash and Popping Tropic Refresher, as well as others not yet shared by McDonald's. The initial stage of the test will only include locations in Wisconsin, Colorado and the surrounding areas, according to McDonald's. The chain is hoping to learn more about what customers like best, plus how to make an expanded drink lineup work for its restaurants and franchisees. McDonald's announcement on Thursday comes after the chain began shuttering its standalone locations of its once-buzzy CosMc's brand last month. The spinoff, which focused on snacks and customizable drinks, initially inspired hours-long lines from customers eager to try something new. But after 18 months, McDonald's chose to wind down the brand and instead bring beverages influenced by CosMc's to its own restaurants. Expanding the burger chain's drinks lineup could help McDonald's compete better with fast-growing beverage chains like Dutch Bros. , 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee and Swig, which have all leaned into consumers' desire to customize their drinks. New drinks could also drive more customers to McDonald's restaurants. In recent quarters, the burger chain has reported lackluster sales as consumers spend less money on its French fries and Big Macs. McDonald's U.S. same-store sales fell 3.6% in the first three months of the year; the company is expected to report its second-quarter results on Aug. 6. Fast-food rivals have also recently been looking beyond the soda fountain for drink options that will appeal to diners. Earlier this month, Yum Brands' Taco Bell unveiled a new Refrescas lineup; the chain also plans to expand its in-restaurant drinks concept called the Live Mas Cafe later this year. Wendy's added three new sour Powerade options to its drinks lineup in June. And earlier this summer, KFC collaborated with PepsiCo's Mountain Dew on a "dirty" soda, made with sweet vanilla cream.
