McDonald’s is phasing out self-serve soda fountains due to hygiene, theft, and changing customer habits.
The company’s franchise owners promise free refills will persist after the machines are phased out by 2032.
“Free refills are a big draw for people,” said Kim Derringer, who operates three McDonald’s franchises in Springfield.
“I don’t see anything taking that away.”
In Illinois, some franchise owners are already moving away from soda fountains. They’re having staff bring meals and drinks directly to customers’ tables, as reported by The State-Journal Register.
The owner of a Springfield, Illinois, McDonald’s, Brad Davis, mentioned that they stopped giving out empty cups to customers this year.
Corporate headquarters selected his franchise as a test case for this change.
“It was an adjustment for customers and staff,” Davis said. “But we didn’t get too many complaints on it.”
Although there is no specific timetable, Davis said he intends to make the same transfer to the other five franchises he owns in Springfield.
Customers at a McDonald’s in Lincoln, Illinois, will continue having their meals and drinks served to them by a staff member, but they can get their own refills
According to the report, Customers who order takeout at the Lincoln store will still receive an empty cup that they may fill up at the fountain.
In the future, McDonald’s will switch to an automated system that automatically pours beverages without requiring customers to press a button.
The franchise owners claim that by having staff members bring diners’ meals and drinks, the “crew pour” technique will help prevent theft and give them a restaurant-like experience.
McDonald’s customers are also less likely to eat in restaurants; instead, they prefer to use their app to order meals for delivery from a third-party vendor, pick it up in person, or order through the drive-thru.
