The glory days of self-serve fountain drinks at McDonald’s are almost over, and people are not happy.
Self-serve soda fountains have been a staple of fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s for decades, allowing visiting customers to self-pour, refill, and even customize their order by mixing all available soda options. But as fast-food chains look to optimize their operations, not all beloved features are making the cut, and the beverage stations are quietly disappearing.
In September 2023, McDonald’s announced it was eliminating the self-serve soda fountains, with a goal to remove them all by 2032, a decision made to drive consistency for staff and customers across its many ordering points: digital, drive-through, and inside the restaurant.
From now until the deadline, the availability of self-serve fountains will be up to each location, although some customers have already started to see the change in real life.
A user on Reddit shared a photo of their local McDonald’s lobby without a soda fountain. “McDonald’s removed the drink station and the ketchup from the lobby,” the post says.
Other Reddit users shared similar experiences, with one saying: “I was in one of these on a road trip. I’ve stopped at this McDonald’s many times before, so I was shocked at how very stark and empty it was, with kiosks to order from and employees just popping out from the back to drop orders and leave customers to grab their own stuff. Weird vibe.”
While the initial announcement pointed out that the decision was purely operational, experts also point out that issues related to hygiene in the wake of COVID-19, as well as evolving store models moving away from in-person dining, are influencing similar decisions across the industry.
The new model will require staff to prepare the beverages alongside the rest of the order. Those looking for a refill, which McDonald’s still offers, will need to ask a crew member for one.
The decision also aligns with broader efforts by McDonald’s to modernize the fast-food chain and adapt to a changing customer base that increasingly opts for non-eat-in options like drive-through, takeout, and delivery apps. For reference, around 40% of the chain’s domestic sales originate from digital orders.
For many, it may seem like a small change, but for others, the move toward a more digital dining experience is a line they are not willing to cross. “What they don’t understand is once that stuff goes, I go,” one user opined. “Without those small features, you are only left with overpriced shit food.”