"McDonald's kicked off the year with its first sales decline in years, which was at least partially blamed on customers reacting to higher prices. That led the chain to reintroduce extra value meals last year, and it's overhauling its menu again this year to try and continue capturing value-focused customers. 2025 also saw the shuttering of McDonald's experimental CosMc's locations, which had more of a beverage-focused menu."
"And if you thought you could get through an update about any company's changes in 2026 without hearing about AI, think again. It's part of a major technological overhaul tied to drive-thrus that is starting this year. Add in big expansion plans and menu experimentation, and customers could be looking at a very different McDonald's in just 12 months."
"Maybe the biggest change to the menu this year is coming in the form of new drinks. Not just a new coffee or soda, but entire new categories. The company's new beverage-focused strategy, which is taking on the success of drink purveyors like Starbucks and Dutch Bros, was announced last year. In April, McDonald's revealed two new offerings of refreshers and "crafted sodas" would be added to the menu."
McDonald's began in the 1950s with items that later became signature products, showing the brand’s evolution over time. In 2025, the chain saw its first sales decline in years, partly attributed to higher prices, and responded by reintroducing extra value meals. The menu is being overhauled again in 2026 to better capture value-focused customers. Experimental CosMc’s locations, opened in 2023 with a beverage-focused menu, were shut down in 2025, though their successes may inform future additions. A major technological overhaul tied to drive-thrus is starting in 2026, including AI. The permanent drink lineup is expanding with new categories such as refreshers and crafted sodas.
Read at Tasting Table
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]