McDonald’s is quietly phasing out its iconic self-serve soda machines across U.S. locations, ending a long-standing tradition of free refills that has sparked widespread debate online. Customers have been sharing images of signs at various restaurants, announcing that refills now cost 50 cents or are completely banned.
Some patrons have expressed frustration, with calls for boycotts and sarcastic remarks about the policy change.
This move is part of McDonald’s plan to eliminate self-serve machines nationwide by 2032, citing factors like theft prevention, declining dine-in traffic, and food safety concerns.
While some critics argue the decision is a money-grab, the company defends it as a step toward streamlining operations across its platforms, such as kiosks, apps, and drive-thrus.
This change marks a significant shift in customer experience, with many questioning whether the move will affect McDonald’s competitive edge against other chains that still offer free refills.
