The days of dispensing your own drinks at McDonald’s are numbered.
After previously announcing plans to remove self-serve soda fountain machines from its restaurants, the fast-food chain is inching one step closer to that goal.
When are McDonald’s soda machines fading into the sunset? Here’s everything you need to know.
McDonald’s soda fountain with various Coca-Cola drinks visible, Lafayette, California, February 5, 2026.Smith Collection/Gado / Getty ImagesSelf-Serve Soda Machines Will Gradually Leave McDonald’s Restaurants
McDonald’s is removing self-serve soda fountain machines amid ongoing restaurant remodel plans.
By 2032, the machines are expected to be gone from all U.S. restaurants. That means their availability will vary by location in the meantime.
According to a Reddit post from last week, at least one McDonald’s had “removed the drink station and the ketchup from the lobby.”
The comments section showed a largely negative response to the move.
“Kinda kills it as a road trip stop for me,” wrote one Redditor.
Posted another, “I’ve stopped at this McDonald’s many times before, so I was shocked at how very stark and empty it was, with kiosks to order from and employees just popping out from the back to drop orders and leave customers to grab their own stuff. Weird vibe.”
TODAY.com has reached out to McDonald’s for further comment.
Why McDonald’s Is Removing Self-Serve Soda Machines from Restaurants
In 2023, McDonald’s confirmed to TODAY.com it would be phasing out self-serve beverage stations by the year 2032. At the time, the chain said the goal of removing the machines was to create a consistent experience for workers and customers in restaurants, at the drive-thru and in the app.
“It’s an evolution towards convenience and (the result of) the growth of digital service,” Mikel Petro, an Illinois McDonald’s operator, told the State Journal-Register at the time.
Other franchise owners who spoke with the newspaper also cited food safety, theft protection and dwindling numbers of dine-in customers as motivating factors for the change.
“I think it’s to push people away from eating inside,” wrote one Redditor.
“Higher prices, less convenience, keeps those pesky customers away…. but they keep coming back, quick tell them the McFlurry machine is out of order!” joked another.
Instead of offering self-serve beverage machines, McDonald’s will now task its employees with preparing drink orders for all customers.
McDonald’s Is Testing Refreshers and Dirty Sodas
Moving the spotlight away from its dwindling self-serve soda fountains, McDonald’s will roll out six new specialty beverages, including three new Refreshers (watch out, Starbucks and Dunkin’!) and three dirty soda-inspired drinks on May 6.
Starting May 6, fans can try six new specialty drinks at McDonald’s.Hand-out / McDonald’s USA, LLC
The following new menu additions will be available at restaurants nationwide:
Strawberry Watermelon Refresher: Strawberry and watermelon flavors, a lemonade base and freeze‑dried strawberries.Mango Pineapple Refresher: Tropical mango and pineapple flavors, a lemonade base and strawberry popping boba.Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher: Blackberry and passion fruit flavors, lemonade and freeze‑dried dragon fruit. Sprite Berry Blast: Sprite, blue raspberry syrup and cold foam.Orange Dream: This drink is similar to the chain’s Hi‑C Orange Lavaburst but features vanilla flavor and cold foam.Dirty Dr Pepper: Dr Pepper with vanilla flavoring and cold foam.