4IntermediateBusinessBusiness

McDonald's Removes Self-Serve Soda Machines Across America

McDonald's is removing self-serve soda fountains from all U.S. restaurants. This big change will happen gradually and should be complete by 2032. The decision shows how fast-food companies are changing their business strategy.

1 min readLevel 4May 4, 2026

By Flalingo Editorial Team

Vocabulary

Study these words before reading the article. Click the audio button to hear pronunciation.

transition

/trænˈzɪʃən/

noun

The process of changing from one state or system to another

“The transition to the new system took several months.”

inventory

/ˈɪnvəntɔːri/

noun

The total amount of goods or materials a business has in stock

“The store checks its inventory every week to avoid waste.”

maintenance

/ˈmeɪntənəns/

noun

The work needed to keep equipment or a building in good condition

“Regular maintenance of machines helps prevent expensive repairs.”

efficiency

/ɪˈfɪʃənsi/

noun

The ability to do something well without wasting time or resources

“The new design improved efficiency in the kitchen.”

gradually

/ˈɡrædʒuəli/

adverb

Slowly, step by step, over a period of time

“The company is gradually opening new stores across the country.”

reflect

/rɪˈflɛkt/

verb

To show or be a sign of something; to represent a situation

“The sales numbers reflect a growing interest in healthy food.”

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Article

Click on any underlined word to see its definition. Highlighted words are from the vocabulary section.

McDonald's has started removing self-serve soda machines from its restaurants. This popular feature let customers pour their own drinks. Now, employees behind the counter will prepare all beverages. The company plans to complete this change by 2032. Many locations have already made the transition.

This decision brings several benefits for the company. McDonald's will have more control over drink portions and inventory. The change should also reduce maintenance costs significantly. Restaurants will be cleaner without the self-serve stations. These improvements might help the company save money overall.

The shift reflects changing consumer habits in the industry. More customers now prefer drive-thru, takeout, and delivery services. Fewer people choose to eat inside the restaurant. Also, demand for specialty beverages has been growing recently. McDonald's is launching new drinks like refreshers and crafted sodas.

This trend is not limited to McDonald's alone. Many fast-food chains are redesigning their spaces for efficiency. Digital ordering and speed have become top priorities for companies. If this strategy works, other brands might follow quickly. The fast-food dining experience is changing forever.

Comprehension Quiz

Test your understanding of the article with these multiple-choice questions.

1
What is McDonald's removing from its U.S. restaurants?
2
By what year will the transition be complete?
3
Who will prepare drinks after the machines are removed?
4
What new products is McDonald's adding to its menu?
5
What broader trend does this change reflect?

Discussion

Answer these comprehension questions about the article.

1
What popular feature is McDonald's removing from its restaurants?
2
When does McDonald's plan to complete this change across the U.S.?
3
How will this decision help McDonald's reduce costs?
4
Why are more customers choosing drive-thru and delivery services?
5
What new drinks is McDonald's adding to its menu?

Further Discussion

Share your opinions on these open-ended questions.

1
If you were a McDonald's manager, would you support this decision? Why or why not?
2
How do you think customers will react to losing free refills?
3
What other changes could fast-food companies make to improve efficiency?
4
Do you prefer ordering food digitally or speaking to a person? Why?
5
How might this strategy affect McDonald's profits in the long term?