McDonald's to do away with personal beverage machines by 2032

Self-serving drink machines in McDonald's restaurants won't be around in ten years, just like a discontinued product.

According to McDonald's, the gradual phase-out of beverage stations from dining rooms across the nation will be finished by 2032. Refill requests must be made at the counter by customers.

"This change is intended to create a consistent experience for both customers and crew across all ordering points, whether that's McDelivery, the app, kiosk, drive-thru, or in-restaurant," the company stated in a statement to USA TODAY.

The fast food restaurant did not specify if economic or medical considerations played a role in the choice.

According to USA TODAY network affiliate State Journal-Register, a number of franchises in Illinois have already made the change. The decision was influenced, according to store owners and operators, by food safety, theft prevention, and a dearth of dine-in customers.

"It's an evolution towards convenience and (the result of) the growth of digital service," said Mikel Petro, who, along with his wife and in-laws, manages 15 McDonald's restaurants around central Illinois.

According to the State Journal-Register, Brad Davis, who owns several McDonald's in Springfield, Illinois, claimed that one of his eateries had been chosen to be a part of the new "crew pour" system, in which employees refilled patrons' beverages. Although the experience required some getting used to for both customers and workers, he assured the outlet that complaints were few.
According to Insider, self-serve soda dispensers have also recently been taken out of Orange, California.

Since the onset of the pandemic, fewer people are dining in fast food places like McDonald's and more are ordering takeout online. The corporation that controls franchises including Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut, Yum! Brands Inc., has hinted at a probable transition to only digital sales.