McDonald’s to close three CosMc’s locations — and open two more

McDonald’s will shutter three areas of its drinks-focused spinoff brand, CosMc’s.

To check the idea, the fast-food big opened its first CosMc’s location greater than a 12 months in the past within the Chicago suburb of Bolingbrook, adopted by six extra in Texas. McDonald’s has transformed bigger namesake eating places into CosMc’s, along with constructing smaller prototype areas.

The smaller shops work higher for the check, the corporate stated Thursday. Consequently, McDonald’s will shut three of its bigger format CosMc’s areas and open two extra small Texas eating places. The corporate didn’t disclose the areas for both the openings or closures, though CosMc’s web site says a retailer is coming quickly to Allen, Texas.

McDonald’s additionally shared different early learnings from the pilot on Thursday. Savory hash browns are the top-selling meals — at any time of day — adopted by McPops, the chain’s mini crammed doughnuts. Greatest-selling drinks embrace the Island Choose-Me-Up Punch, Churro Chilly Brew Frappe and the Bitter Vitality Burst.

The CosMc’s check will proceed for the “foreseeable future,” based on the corporate.

McDonald’s created CosMc’s as its entry level into the rising “afternoon beverage pick-me-up event.”

Whereas CosMc’s menu options some McDonald’s classics, it additionally presents a number of recent gadgets taking part in off different beverage and snacking developments, resembling its iced turmeric spiced lattes, tropical spiceade and pretzel bites. Starbucks, Dutch Bros. and bubble tea chain Kung Fu Tea have discovered success with youthful customers by providing customizable chilly drinks.

The title for the brand new model comes from CosMc, a McDonaldland mascot that appeared in ads within the late Nineteen Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties. CosMc is an alien from outer house who craves McDonald’s meals.

Whereas it’s unclear simply how a lot McDonald’s plans to develop CosMc’s, it’s nonetheless a miniscule a part of the burger big’s general U.S. footprint. The corporate has greater than 13,500 U.S. eating places. Nonetheless, McDonald’s is hoping to be taught extra about its CosMc’s prospects. Final 12 months, it rolled out a loyalty program particular to CosMc’s.