{"id":21198,"date":"2025-05-23T21:09:31","date_gmt":"2025-05-24T02:09:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/?p=21198"},"modified":"2025-05-23T21:09:31","modified_gmt":"2025-05-24T02:09:31","slug":"mcdonalds-is-closing-its-cosmcs-restaurants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/2025\/05\/23\/mcdonalds-is-closing-its-cosmcs-restaurants\/","title":{"rendered":"McDonald’s is Closing its CosMc’s Restaurants"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to CosMc’s Closure<\/h1>\n

McDonald\u2019s said Friday that it\u2019s closing down CosMc\u2019s, a new restaurant format it began piloting in the U.S. last year.<\/p>\n

Background of CosMc’s<\/h2>\n

The company announced in late 2023 that it wanted to test a small-format store with customizable drinks and treats that would appeal to afternoon snackers \u2014 and potentially grab sales from rivals like Starbucks and Dutch Bros. McDonald\u2019s sales often slump in the afternoon between mealtimes and the company wants to change that.<\/p>\n

CosMc’s Concept and Goals<\/h3>\n

\u201cThis is a $100 billion category that\u2019s growing faster than the rest of (casual dining) and with superior margins. And it\u2019s a space that we believe we have the right to win,\u201d McDonald\u2019s Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski said at the time. The concept included beverages such as matcha iced latte, turmeric spiced latte, prickly pear-flavored slushy with popping candy on top, and a frozen sour cherry energy drink.<\/p>\n

Locations and Operations<\/h4>\n

McDonald\u2019s wound up opening one CosMc\u2019s location near its headquarters in Chicago, including a site in Bolingbrook, and seven in Texas. However, the company plans to shut them all down by the end of June. The company is also shutting down CosMc\u2019s app. The decision comes after realizing that CosMc\u2019s drinks might be too complex to fit in with regular McDonald\u2019s store operations.<\/p>\n

Legacy of CosMc’s<\/h5>\n

Despite the closure, McDonald\u2019s said CosMc\u2019s allowed it to experiment with bold flavors and different technologies, like drive-thru lanes that manage traffic based on the complexity of orders. It was also able to quickly edit the menu based on customer feedback. Moreover, beverages inspired by CosMc\u2019s will soon be tested at U.S. McDonald\u2019s locations, indicating that some aspects of the CosMc’s concept will live on.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The closure of CosMc’s marks the end of an experimental phase for McDonald’s but also opens the door for integrating successful elements into its existing operations. This move reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and its pursuit of capturing a larger share of the afternoon snack market.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n