McDonald’s Plans To Get Rid Of A Customer Staple Nationwide
on May 04, 2026
McDonald’s Is Rolling Out A New Change Involving Fountain Drinks
Locations nationwide are preparing to remove a key part of the dine-in experience.
If you’ve been a regular customer at McDonald’s, you’ve probably noticed how much the fast-food chain has changed over the last few decades.
It has leaned into a more modern style, updating the look of almost every one of its restaurants, which has led to plenty of mixed opinions from customers.
The evolution of McDonald’s over the last 30 years.
— Fascinating (@fasc1nate) December 11, 2025
Industry experts say this design shift was driven by changing tastes. Books like Fast Food Nation and films like Super Size Me damaged McDonald’s family-friendly image, pushing the chain toward a more grown-up atmosphere.… pic.twitter.com/E2AzwkcUij
Not only has the exterior changed, but new updates have also been added inside the restaurants.
Some locations have focused on improving the customer experience by introducing self-order kiosks, menu changes, and table service.
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Now, another familiar part of the McDonald’s experience is expected to change as well. They will slowly phase out self-serve soda fountains.
Fox Business reports that the transition is expected to roll out nationwide by 2032 as remodelling plans continue.
The goal behind removing the self-serve soda fountains is to reduce maintenance needs and better align with customer trends, including high demand for takeout and drive-thru service, which results in less dine-in traffic.
This does take away a convenience many customers have enjoyed for years, but it aligns with the business’s push to improve as a whole using new methods.
The change can easily create a cleaner environment and significantly reduce product waste, since employees would be responsible for pouring the drinks instead.
But McDonald’s approach to modernizing its locations isn’t just about taking things away. The chain has also added multiple new menu items and updates.
Last month, McDonald’s corporate announced the launch of its first-ever lineup of Refreshers and craft sodas. Just weeks before that, it introduced a new “Under $3 Menu” and a “$4 Breakfast Meal Deal.”
