Restaurants

McDonald’s to replace self-serve beverages

Image provided by McDonald's Corp.

September 8, 2023

McDonald's will be transitioning away from self-serve beverage stations in dining rooms across the U.S. by 2032, according to an email from a company spokesperson. This change is intended to create a consistent experience for both customers and crew across all ordering points, whether it's McDelivery, the app, kiosk, drive-thru or in-restaurant.

The intention is to simplify and create consistency in the beverage processes for restaurant crew and customers, as the pouring experience currently varies by ordering point. Drive-thru drinks are crew poured while in-restaurant orders are customer poured.

Stores in Illinois already have begun the transition, according to a report in The State Journal-Register quoting some McDonald's franchisees.

The change came in response to concerns about the cleanliness of public spaces during the pandemic, according to the newspaper report.