McDonald's Ditches Self-Serve Soda Machines in U.S. Locations
McDonald's plans to eliminate self-serve soda machines, or "beverage stations," at its U.S. locations by 2032 in order to provide consistent customer and worker experiences across all ordering points. The impact on drink refills and international locations is unclear. Some customers have already noticed the removal of self-serve soda machines, expressing concerns about longer wait times and the inability to create unique beverage combinations. McDonald's has been implementing various changes, such as automated restaurants and revamped menu items, and reported a significant increase in digital sales for the second quarter of 2023.