Your local McDonald’s may lose its self-service soda machine
You might not be able to get your own soda at your next trip to McDonald’s
The company plans to phase out self-service drink stations at U.S. restaurants by 2032, according to the Associated Press, and some Texas locations are already ahead of the change.
At a McDonald’s in North Arlington located at 2391 N. Collins St., an employee confirmed to the Star Telegram on Friday, May 8 that the location removed its self-service soda machines earlier this year.
The move has already sparked reactions online from customers surprised to see the self-serve soda fountains gone.
Here’s what to know.
Why is McDonald’s getting rid of self-service soda machines?
McDonald’s said the goal is to create a more consistent experience for customers no matter how they order, whether that’s inside the restaurant, through the app, at a kiosk or in the drive-thru.
The transition is also tied to operational reasons, including reducing waste, improving inventory control and making dining rooms easier to maintain, according to Consumer Affairs.
The outlet noted that self-service soda stations have long been associated with spills, sticky floors and extra cleanup for employees.
Sanitation became a bigger concern after the COVID-19 pandemic because soda fountain buttons and other shared touchpoints are used by large numbers of customers throughout the day.
McDonald’s has continued redesigning restaurants around digital ordering kiosks and drive-thru focused layouts, where large self-service drink stations may no longer fit the company’s newer setup.
How will drinks work without the self-service soda machines?
Customers can still order fountain drinks at McDonald’s, but employees may now handle filling them instead of customers serving themselves.
At the North Arlington McDonald’s, customers order drinks through a kiosk or with a cashier, and employees prepare the beverages behind the counter before bringing them out with the order.
McDonald’s has not said whether all restaurants will follow the same process as more locations phase out the machines.
How are customers reacting to the change?
Reaction online has been mixed, with many customers saying they’re frustrated with the sudden disappearance.
“McDonald’s getting rid of self serve soda fountains in their dining rooms. As if I needed any more reason to not go,” a customer wrote on Threads.
“My thing is I usually test the drink just to make sure it isn’t carbonation,” another Threads user wrote. “But sure I’ll take my business elsewhere.”
Others said the issue is less about unlimited refills and more about how the newer restaurants feel.
“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,” a Reddit user wrote. “Weird vibe.”
One Threads user described the redesign as “It’s ‘pay us. Grab your food. Now get the F out.’ It’s all about profits over customer experience for them right now.”
