McDonald's announced Friday that it will close all CosMc's locations beginning in June, ending the company's short-lived test of a new drink-focused concept just two years after its debut.
CosMc's was introduced in late 2023 as a small-format chain offering customizable beverages and snacks aimed at competing with coffee giants like Starbucks and Dunkin'. The idea was to give McDonald's a new way to attract afternoon customers — a time when sales typically slow down.
The pilot started with one location near McDonald's headquarters in Bolingbrook, Illinois, before expanding to seven sites in Texas.
According to CBS News, only five stores remain open, and all will be shut down next month. McDonald's is also ending the CosMc's mobile app.
"We've learned so much, so quickly from the CosMc's test," McDonald's said in a statement. "It allowed us to test bold flavors, new technologies, and drive-thru processes — all without impacting regular McDonald's restaurants."
Some of CosMc's standout drinks included a churro frappe, iced vanilla matcha latte, turmeric-spiced latte, and a sour cherry energy drink topped with popping candy. Food items like pretzel bites and spicy queso sandwiches were also on the menu.
CosMc's will be shutting down five of its locations, including one in Bolingbrook, Illinois, and four in Texas: Fort Worth, Allen, and two in San Antonio.
McDonald’s Bids Goodbye to CosMc’s, Its Space Alien-Themed Spinoff 🚀
— Mark Robak CRE 🏣 (@SDCRE) May 23, 2025
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Started as a pilot in December 2023, the Chicago-based company built eight @CosMcs sites, one in Illinois and… pic.twitter.com/S5PVWHGref
CosMc's Shuts Down, But Popular Drinks May Live On
While CosMc's stores will shut down, McDonald's said that some of its most popular drinks will be tested at regular McDonald's locations across the country. The company did not say which drinks will make the transition.
McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski previously called the beverage category "a $100 billion space" with faster growth and better profits than traditional fast food.
But he admitted that CosMc's drinks might be too complicated to fit into regular McDonald's kitchens, AP News said.
CosMc's also helped the company test new tech, such as drive-thru systems that changed based on how complex the drink orders were. It also gave McDonald's a chance to adjust the menu quickly, based on customer feedback.
Though the CosMc's experiment is ending, McDonald's says the lessons learned will shape future innovation — especially as it works to compete in the fast-growing specialty drink market.
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