The Real Reason McDonald’s Is Launching CosMc’s

In December 2023, McDonald’s opened its first CosMc’s location. It’s a new coffee shop that focuses on customizable beverages and quick service. But why? McDonald’s already has over 4,000 McCafe locations globally. We looked into it and found that there’s more going on here besides coffee and a peculiar space robot from the 1980s that no one remembers.
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[@patricksanders858]

The two drugs with the highest margins and the most widespread availability are coffee and sugar.

[@dudea3378]

Caffeine and sugar. Coffee the complex juice of the seed of a cherry, full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and polyphenols. Caffeine is the extracted drug. Fruit is a complex mixture full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and polyphenols. Sugar is the extracted drug.

[@PianomanKY]

My beef with McDonalds is that it used to be the go-to fast food place to feed the family cheaply. Had a dollar? You could at least get a cheeseburger. It wasn't great, but it was affordable and decent. That was the draw. It also is pretty much the only chain that has stuff specifically geared towards kids and families. But now it's just as expensive as Wendy's, which is far better quality. The prices they charge now just isn't worth it when you can get better quality food elsewhere for about the same price. Their coffee is way better tasting than Starbucks tho in my opinion, so I'll at least give them that.

[@ShavinMcCrotch]

Wendy’s??? Hell, they’re more than Denny’s, Pizza Hut, Applebees, etc,… $25 for lunch from a drive-thru window! Nope. Never again.

[@double_joseph327]

@@ShavinMcCrotchI went to what a burger the other day spent 35$ on two meals! And we shared a drink. The fries were so cold and stale I went back inside and a lady behind me returning her fries as well lol. I will never go back to what a burger.

[@ShavinMcCrotch]

@@double_joseph327 Oh! Yeah, then there’s THAT! You don’t always get consistent quality with fast food, so about 1/3 of the time you’re going to be paying $25 - $35 for the inevitable pale flaccid fries and/or a dry burger or coke that’s running out of syrup! 🤨

[@AMPProf]

You got beef.. When.

[@tavern2468]

@@ShavinMcCrotch I literally said the same thing when I ordered something that wasn’t from the four for four menu which of course they fucking got rid of but then the combo ended up being like 12 or $13 and it said to hell with the shit I rather go to fucking IHOP and get a burger. I’m literally paying the same price and the quality is shit

[@ElJosher]

Seeing pleople get excited at anything related to mcdonlads is truly asinine.

[@adaml.5355]

Selling liquid sugar is definitely a good business strategy. 😂

[@jackhartman628]

McDonalds realized that brightly colored, watered down corn syrup is dirt cheap to produce and they can charge $$$$ for literal crap.

[@andybaldman]

Ding ding ding.

[@dant.3505]

They still have to add coffee to them sugar concoctions. Added expenses

[@goober7535]

i mean, its not literal crap. its figurative crap. if it was literal crap they'd get shut down day 1

[@notbuster126]

I dunno about other people, but I don't like to spend 6-9 dollars on ONE drink, I don't care who makes it or what it has. It's a drink. You can probably make something close to it yourself at home anyways. Who are these people that get em daily lol It's not even a question of "are you financially well enough to not care about the price?" I just don't like getting ripped off to just get diabetes.

[@blandrooker6541]

This. Totally this. I don't need a beverage to show to others how cool I am, I couldn't care less about another brand that charges way too much money. Myself, I fire up the electric kettle in the morning, open a packet of Maxim Gold (a Korean all in one coffee) and it costs me 25 cents. Then once out of the house, I stop by Circle K where I pay 10 bucks a month for one free beverage a day, with their convenient coffee machines that grind beans fresh and brews to order. 30 cents a day. So, 2 cups a day cost me about 16 bucks a month, compared to 480 bucks a month if I were a Dutch Brothers junky with a daily 2 drink habit. To each their own, I suppose, but I'm not that rich.

[@double_joseph327]

I just went to a happy hour and got a pitcher of craft beer for 6$ lol no way in hell I’m paying that for some cheap sugar McDonald’s drink

[@user-nc2qj2jc5q]

For that price I can get 5 beers in a bar in Spain 🇪🇸👍

[@keyesnm]

This whole "concept". a al Dutch Bros, Black Rock, and others is about a SWEET tooth! Over sugary and sweet drinks with different flavors... Simple ---- sugar sells!!!

[@marcvslicinivscrassvs7536]

Yes it does and I am a thrall! I escaped alcohol and weed only to be hooked on sugar!

[@jamesrosewell9081]

​@@marcvslicinivscrassvs7536 Not a bad swap

[@marcvslicinivscrassvs7536]

@@jamesrosewell9081 Except these drinks are crazy expensive these days. Double Torture at Dutch Bros is now $9

[@UmmYeahOk]

I live in Texas, and yeah, I totally do not understand why on earth there are so many Dutch Brothers locations. I woke up one day, and there they all were. I didn’t even know what it was. In the same town where there are already TWO locations, there’s an Auntie Ann’s drive thru. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if CosMcs opened in that same town. There’s sure plenty of boba teas places already.

[@stickynorth]

I'm guessing ultra low start up costs like Subway originally was... Back in the day a bunch of friends could basically start a Subway franchise location together with beer money... Now you might be able to, but then again who would want to????

[@russellzauner]

There was an episode of Undercover Boss featuring Dutch Bros, explains a LOT.

[@russellzauner]

@@stickynorth Last I checked it was 50k but you have to work at one for N amount of time and basically be one of the chosen lol but there are reasons it's exploding - it's not a coffee shop (although the coffee is actually pretty great - they bought a coffee farm) so much as a drink shop. Almost the modern version of a soda fountain that does more than cherry cokes and egg creams. They brand all their own stuff and you can't buy it in a store (like Taco Bell brands). I mean it's good but its operations model literally looks like a cult that turns profit and pays taxes - no lie. Ask them, they'll tell you. I'm glad someone in the service industry actually gets offered ownership, regardless of any opinions of their products. That's pretty rare.

[@double_joseph327]

Dutch bros sucks too lol please do not interrogate me at 6am while I’m trying to get my coffee

[@tangyorange6509]

As someone down the street-I would be so depressed if I flew from London to fucking Bolingbrook😂

[@ka9202]

That's what I was telling my friend after I tried CosMcs last week. After all the hype dies down, it'll be a cool place to grab something quick on the fly. MCD will need to open up more locations for this to take effect but I could see where it could be useful for people who just want a snack instead of a meal.

[@3ladeRunner]

Revenue fell by design btw, they started getting rid of corporate owned stores and focusing on franchising and real estate

[@patricksanders858]

Why? Because the profit margin on coffee and specialty drinks is ASTRONOMICAL! How do you think SB got so big? My whole bean coffee made at home costs me about .20 cents. At SB it costs me $3.00!

[@double_joseph327]

Try 5$+ ! SB is straight up over priced as hell

[@alexprinsrealestateagent1263]

The most exciting thing about this video was hearing that the McDonalds is bringing back the snack wraps! Those Big Mac snack wraps were the bomb!

[@electro_sykes]

It’s planned to also eventually replace McCafe standalone stores. This change won’t come until they have opened up all their current planned locations in the states, though.

[@johndefalque5061]

The biggest improvment McDonald's did was to their coffee, probably because they had to compete with Starbucks. McD's already has a line of coffees-I can't see myself going out of my way to go to CosMcs. This could dilute the brand. franchisees are already struggling.

[@velvetjones1856]

Lots of new drive thru only coffee shops opening that have huge volume. I see McD deciding to cut into this market that they are not getting through their regular stores. I think some people are snobbish enough to think McD frappe isn't high end enough for them.

[@JohnVKaravitis]

Will you be doing a video on Weight Watchers for people who are really just a bit too into fast food?

[@daccrowell4776]

MccyDees must be researching new horizons in totally screwing up your order. Why else would a company who can't even get a burger order right half the time concoct a menu that's even more complicated? Someone needs to be the Adult in the room at their next shareholder meeting, sounds like.

[@danielpruitt8550]

Cane's is an absolutely amazing restaurant i tried it when driving through Louisiana on the way to NC for CO.

[@LoopGawdTV]

I went to Dutch brothers just looking for a regular coffee, but all they had was overly sugary coffee type drinks.

[@soarrefly]

"Frapp-ayy" 😂

[@Sacto1654]

There's also another factor: airport locations. McDonald's may carefully tweak the menu at CosMc's specifically for various airport locations around the world. It may even team up with the likes of JR East and JR West in Japan to put in CosMc's locations inside larger JR East and JR West rail stations (both JR Group companies I mentioned are *HUGE* in the real estate business around rail stations). In France, where McDonald's has surprisingly good reputation (mostly because McDonald's France decided right from the start they're not going to compete against various types of low-end French restaurants), CosMc's locations could be common at major SNCF railway stations all over the country.

[@devenscience8894]

Interesting point. The smaller kitchen needed for the paired down menu might make it ideal for locations inside of other buildings, such as airports, rail stations, malls, etc. Good thinking.

[@KaraSmith-vh2jr]

I work here it’s strange they also have protein shakes and you can also put vitamin c shots in the energy drinks.

[@kolonarulez5222]

There are so many blended drink shops in my small town with more being built. Both mom n pop and chain. It's high margin so a very attractive concept. I enjoy Dutch Bros but consider a $7+ sugary drink an occasional treat

[@jefftomasello3258]

People aren't dying fast enough so they needed to up their game!

[@momoneyinvesting]

Blackrock must have tapped them on the shoulder to carry out that mission because they know how good they are at pumping us full of sugar and fat

[@Nphen]

My local McD has turned terrible since 2020. They had a nice dining room, and turned it into what can only be described as a dystopian industrial hellscape. The fries almost never taste right, so I stopped even trying to go. All the stores in the local franchise do something to their oil to ruin the flavor. They've messed up the biscuits, eggs, and bacon, and hashbrowns too many times. I used to work at a McD. Too many franchise owners never work their own stores and let them go to crap. Save your money and cook at home more.

[@onee]

Why did McDonald's opened CosMc's? Simple. It's cheaper to run.

[@zaxflaya]

I didn’t even know there were McCafes until seeing this video. I thought Cosmc’s was the first spinoff from McDonald’s.

[@johnc.2148]

I’ll use it to get an egg McMuffin when I wake up at 11am

[@dulio12385]

Cosmc is essentially Luckin Coffee with a McDonald's logo slapped on; Small store foot print, Take-Out/Delivery oriented, focus on wierd non-coffee drinks and possible automated drink production.

[@wileecoyoteee9416]

Alot of the CosMc drinks have an *INSANE* amount of sugar, if I'm not mistaken. I thought I saw that one of the juices has *106* grams of sugar (= *26.5* spoonfuls!). To put that in perspective, an Oreo McFlurry has 64 grams. A can of Coke has 39. So, having that juice is equivalent to basically slamming 3 Cokes. Would you sit down at your kitchen table with a bowl of sugar and eat over 26 full spoonful bites of it? If not, you should probably never have anything from CosMc. It's beyond just "Oh, a little sugar won't kill ya; it's ok to treat yourself now and then"; this is practically poisoning.

[@double_joseph327]

It should not be legal. It’s just disgusting. The UK stopped companies from doing this.. no idea why america won’t?

[@kylespevak6781]

All of that sounds disgusting

[@miaomiaou_]

I watched this with closed captions and truly believed that McDonald’s was launching a cosmetics line in addition to this beverage place

[@avfc1985]

It's all about real estate and land. Hard to keep opening more Mcdonalds when there are so many, these buildings resolve that issue.

[@ntuAaq]

this channel is perfect! specially for me who does not live in the US.

[@stickynorth]

Where I live there's 4 McDonald's within a 2-mile radius which is far too many even for this part of the city. I suspect at least 1 will be converted to an alternate brand when available... I.e. a CosMc's which seems more a place where you'd hang out and socialize with friends in the mythological third space until McDonald's which seems to be moving in a retro get your order a go format like its OG outlet with the Walkup windows only.... The closest one to me just removed all but one of its tables and converted its drive though area into an even larger space and just reopened last week which goes to show you like Starbuck's it doesn't want people to loiter or linger as much on its property anymore... Which of course is a COVID era trend that hasn't reversed. 75% of all food orders are now to go here in Canada...

[@CDubDaly]

What band are you wearing on wrist opposite your watch?

[@3p1cand3rs0n]

i think that's a FitBit.

[@yaush_]

Cosmcs basically just looks like Dunkin’ Donuts lol

[@johndefalque5061]

here in Quebec, there's already Cosmos restos.

[@jboy2621]

Starbucks is just as large as McDonald's by market capital. It's only natural that MCD focus on the drinks for profit. You can only cut corners so much on foods for profit.

[@user-nc2qj2jc5q]

Mix of chemical laced drinks😂

[@brandongovreau9218]

I'm subscribed to your newsletter and KZbin channel

[@andybrice2711]

Is it just an excuse to buy up large amounts of land? Massive corporations currently seem to be very eager about buying up large amounts of land.

[@clonecommanderrex8542]

I never heard of it till now

[@joeyp1927]

That beard ain't fooling me, Ronald McDonald.

[@kylespevak6781]

Those intro clips have to be plants. People don't film themselves being hype to order a drink

[@enihil7713]

Remember, McDonalds is not your friend

[@user-nc2qj2jc5q]

Never been to fast food joints since moved to Europe 🇪🇺👍 Since 2000 ..

[@laurachristianson1688]

I live close to rhe one in Bolingbrook….people are sitting line forever for this crap……we already have so many smoothie stores, coffee shops etc…… What we really need is some actual healthy eating places like Jason’s.

[@stevenj2380]

If they adapt one to a city downtown location, I'd try it. This may not ever be a fit for NYC.

[@mattcolver1]

With AI CosMcs could add drone delivery service and people working from home can order their fancy drink and it's delivered to their doorstep in 20 minutes.

[@LifeBeyondLyrics]

McDonalds makes more money as a corporation off real-estate than off food... So by creating a new successful brand that doesn't compete with their original brand but can work with the same suppliers ...would allow them to make money off real-estate without competing with themselves.

[@girlgonetalk2u321]

I just hope they don't get rid of the 99 cent any size coffee coupon in the app. It makes hectic mornings a little easier for this Texas Teacher.

[@RonTodd-gb1eo]

Can't we just have coffee flavoured coffee?

[@thecreatorc]

So it's a Dunkin donuts meets Starbucks...

[@aloesecretinc]

The frap machines are always broken.

[@Stelios78910]

Very interesting keep it up🍟

[@johnbrazelton6130]

Brilliant. Roll out a drink based brand, then go full out with a transitional rebranding of the entire chain. Billion dollar marketing plan if done right as they face inevitable backlash. So well played.

[@Dr.Kananga]

The specialty beverage market can only grow through younger audiences and social media platforms. Too bad franchises like Tim Horton's missed this opportunity to bounce back after 15 years of slumbering.

[@jreamespinoza]

So basically they’re coming for Starbucks 😂

[@CakeLorde]

McDonald's is literally disgusting. The only fast food place I won't eat at unless nothing else is around

[@baronvonjo1929]

Naw thats Hardys and Arbys lol they always be empty in my area. I guess it really depends on the franchiser who owns the places. But the ones in our area suck. Howevers lots of McDonalds suck too

[@CakeLorde]

@@baronvonjo1929 I would definitely rather eat at Carl's jr for sure, even though it's not a top pick, but I actually like arbys lmao, so that hurts a bit

[@CakeLorde]

I should add, the main reason I dislike McDonald's is the smell of the restaurant, idk how to explain it but it kinda smells like body odor to me. The only thing I ever order are nuggets and fries, and I always regret ordering their coffee. It's strange because as a kid I freaking loved McDonald's

[@baronvonjo1929]

@@CakeLorde I don't really go to McDonalds so can't comment much in that but I will pay attention to it next time

[@ChandlerDoyle]

no, Mcdonald's customer service is DMV level compared to Chick-fil-a. They deserve to go under.

[@familei3349]

Concerning CMCDs - You can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig!

[@daryl9799]

Dont worry all the sheep will flock the fact that one chick is flying across the world to try a drink I swear people have lost it.

[@double_joseph327]

What a loser lol

[@mack-uv6gn]

Starbucks knockoff?🤔

[@opreacalin1783]

I love this.

[@americanadreaming]

Anyone that's overweight should stay far away from their food and sugary drinks. 74% of you folks are overweight, so you might want to curb that enthusiasm.

[@d4nt3_023]

I don’t think the target market off these customizable drinks will latch on bc they like the boujiness and brand as much as the drink. McDonald’s is not boujee

[@RolandKaos]

Interesting take on China. I would suggest diving a little more into the state of China's economy to get a better picture of the next few years. Luckin coffee on the other hand is another story all together. With Nasdaq serving it with a Delisting notice only 3 years ago. Who knows if its latest sales figures are real!

[@TradieTrev]

I see you like your maccas! ROFL!

[@toddrobinson9170]

I'd never support any restaurant/ that is fully automated also would refuse to go to any restaurant or drive thru if it's completely automated and not operated by a person no im not old only 32 but i'm old school.

[@travist.7279]

On #2: "Strategic" real estate may no longer be that strategic---thanks to the work-from-home movement.

[@Kk_1100]

DIABETES

[@lynetteray2146]

Actually, the best food a McD's has, is breafast items and french fries.

[@MrMo3big]

McDonald’s is mids in 2023 they better change or they wont be around anymore.

[@RudieObias]

This comment is embarrassing 😅

[@stickynorth]

Duh... But that's why it's successful. Just the way dull white guys like me like Coldplay... And for the record, yes I am white, yes I am dull and yes I did see their Head Full of Dreams Tour and was mindblown by the wristband light show! That and Tove Lo opening did it for me...

[@stickynorth]

TLDR: Mid is where the $$$ is at... Case in point? Taylor Swift... Case in point? Celine Dion and Michael Buble... Bland as f*ck but huge cash cows!

[@double_joseph327]

Bro this McDonald’s next to the gym I go to.. always a massive drive thru line like wrapped around, both lanes… it’s insane to me. I tried to go there for a grilled chicken something. They got rid of all their grilled chicken! Screw McDonald’s. Place is a rip off.

[@iskrassupercoolchannel]

hi

[@eltiolavara9]

YAYYY DRUGS!!!!

[@Nicoleoliver294]

My favourite flavours are Mixed Berry and Banana Peanut.

[@malibustarz3666]

I think I’m gonna sub now just so I can see this Ginger Daddy Bear 🐻 ❤❤️‍🔥🥰💦 🫦💦

[@regulusatilius4121]

Sugary drinks is bad for your health.

[@wesleyslaughterhouse]

FIRST LFG BREW

[@RandoCommenter123]

Not my taste.

[@mrf9342]

Down voted and turns off because of how much you move your hands.

[@KapitanWoods]

Mocha is not pronounced "Matcha" 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@soupdrinker]

He isn’t referring to Mocha, he is referring to Matcha, which is something else entirely

[@jamesmoore5630]

The Logo is flawed. It should be Co's Mcs' and that looks stupid.

[@soupdrinker]

That’s even worse

[@neilmoryson]

Blah blah blah more money for investors blah blah stock buy backs blah blah money money money for the money. Your life means nothing money investors shareholders money money money

[@ronnythompson9115]

Looks like garbage. Hope it fails fast and they dont expand.

[@txkitkat1307]

Gross

[@peterjaniceforan3080]

🛸🧋

[@LiberatorSleuth]

focusing on some more cancer lol

[@Stonkings]

Lol hard pass 🫢