Some fast-food chains are making a quiet change to bills as the penny disappears

"Retailers like McDonald's and Wendy's are making subtle pricing changes as the US phases out the one-cent coins, rounding the bill up or down if customers do not have exact change. A McDonald's representative told Business Insider in a statement that locations in certain parts of the country are experiencing a shortage of pennies. Restaurants may round up or down to the nearest five cents if customers do not have exact change."

"Wendy's told Business Insider that, until the government sets an industry standard, it has recommended that its franchisees round down cash transactions to the nearest nickel. 'Franchisees ultimately set their own prices, so rounding may vary by restaurant,' Wendy's said. Go To Foods, the parent company of Auntie Anne's, Cinnabon, and Jamba, echoed Wendy's guidance. 'At this time, when pennies aren't available, we're recommending that franchisees round cash transactions in the guest's favor,' Go To Foods told Business Insider in a statement."

Retailers and fast-food chains are rounding cash payments to the nearest five cents because pennies are scarce and production will end in 2026. McDonald's said some locations face penny shortages and may round up or down when customers lack exact change. Wendy's recommended franchisees round down cash transactions to the nearest nickel until the government sets an industry standard. Go To Foods advised rounding in the guest's favor to maintain trust and consistency. The companies said cashless transaction pricing remains unchanged. The US Treasury plans to stop minting pennies in 2026 after production costs exceeded face value.

Read at Business Insider