By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-17 18:23:28 | Updated at 2024-11-17 20:50:35
2 hours ago
McDonald's has quietly begun phasing out its iconic self-serve soda machines across US locations.
The removal of free refills, once a hallmark of the chain, has sparked heated discussions on platforms like Reddit.
Customers have been posting images of notices from their local restaurants - for example, showing charges for refills.
One recent Reddit post showed a sign that said: 'Sodas are filled 'behind the counter and refills are 50 cents.'
A notice at another restaurant said the refills will be totally banned.
Customers expressed their frustration, with some calling for a boycott and others labeling the fast-food chain 'officially dead.'
One sarcastic commenter wrote of the ban on refills: 'Wow. I bet they will save at $3.50 a day with this new genius policy.'
Reddit users continue to be outraged over McDonald's decision to remove self-serve soda machines nationwide
The examples are the latest in McDonald's plan to phase out all self-serve machines nationwide by 2032.
The decision marks a notable shift in customer experience, leaving many fans unhappy.
'I have a condition where I'm essentially always thirsty. I'll suck down a drink like nothing. I can easily refill my cup three or four times, with soda or water,' a Reddit user recently wrote.
'I don't think I have ever bought a second drink in a place without free refills. A lack of free refills just makes a place less appealing to me.'
Others compared McDonald's offerings to those of competitors like IHOP and Denny's, where they said the value and quality often outshine fast food.
'I know it is apples and oranges but it has gotten to the point where you can go to an IHOP, Perkins, Denny's etc. and get a lot more food and unlimited refills for the same price as a McDonald's meal,' another Reddit user wrote.
'Plus you can get burgers at those places that in my opinion are better than the golden arches.'
Retail expert Neil Saunders explained the backlash, telling DailyMail.com: 'Self-serve beverage machines are very convenient for the customer, especially when it comes to refills - many of which remain free in other locations.'
He added that forcing customers to ask for refills creates inconvenience and raises fears that free refills could disappear entirely.
Despite social media users' continued anger toward the self-serve machine removal, McDonald's has defended the decision.
The company claims the transition is aimed at streamlining operations across ordering platforms, including in-store kiosks, the app, and drive-thrus.
McDonald's plans to phase out all self-serve machines nationwide by 2032
Several McDonald's restaurant locations removed its self-serve soda machines last year
Store operators cited theft prevention, declining dine-in traffic, and food safety concerns as additional factors driving the change.
Various McDonald's restaurants removed self-serve machines last year, and a location in Springfield, Illinois, using a new 'crew pour' system.
Multiple store owner-operators said theft prevention and lack of dine-in customers were factors in the self-serve machine removal.
Another factor was food safety, which in some cases could depend on how a machine is taken care of.
'The amount of cleaning and upkeep that's required for these guest-facing dispensers is pretty significant,' Alex Susskind, a professor of food and beverage management at Cornell University, told Marketplace.
Another expert pointed out that the profit margins on soft drinks are large - 90 to more than 95 percent.
'It's essentially pennies per drink for the cost of the syrup. It's a good business, and that's why a lot of times, you see companies doing any size for $1,' David Henkes, senior principal and head of strategic partnerships at Technomic, told Marketplace.
But restaurants are increasingly trying save money - and ending refills if they do not lead to a big drop in sales will help.
Susskind added that 'every penny is starting to matter,' especially for quick-service restaurants (QSR).
Store operators cited theft prevention, declining dine-in traffic, and food safety concerns as factors driving the change
Social media users had the same theory - that McDonald's was looking to boost profit margins.
Nearly 400 Reddit users wrote about their opinions of the McDonald's sign that indicated its soda refills cost 50 cents.
'My dad said when he worked at McDonald's in the 80's, they switched refills to self serve because it was cheaper than using employee time to do it. We've come full circle,' a commenter wrote.
A Reddit user who read that comment responded: 'That honestly makes more sense than this because as someone who's worked on the soda side of things, they spend pennies to the dollars they see in profit,' a Reddit user wrote.
'The only reason any-size drinks for a dollar (and free refills) aren't a thing anymore is pure greed.'
One person claimed the self-service machine removal is 'another tactic to increase prices and improve the bottom line.'
'People might go less frequently but they just end up spending more now. Their food is engineered to make customers crave it after all,' the Reddit user added.
Another person wrote: 'Soda is the biggest rip off. It cost them pennies and yet they do this crap. The McDonalds of my childhood is dead.'
Free soda refills became available at McDonald's restaurants nationwide in the 1980s and 1990s.
'They did the math, and they figured, 'Oh, it's just easier for the guests to help themselves,'' Susskind told Marketplace.
Profit margins on soft drinks can range from 90 to more than 95 percent
Over the years, self-serve soda machines' glory died down, and some even disappeared before 2020.
'You can't just give customers a great thing, then take it away and expect them to be happy about it,' a Reddit user wrote.
'Since McDonald's is an industry giant, other restaurants will follow suit. We had a solid 36 years.'
Daily Mail has reached out to McDonald's for comment.
