---
title: "McDonald's Tests Premium Beverages in 500 Stores After CosMc's"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/c0f4ba2e-1c98-4d8e-a26d-e96257ded10e
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/mcdonalds-is-the-latest-franchise-to-bet-big-on-beverages-with-500-store-premium-drink-test-2729909
category: "Burger"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Burger"
published: 2025-07-25T23:18:39.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T20:30:52.560Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/bf54bf3db1a432d6022d9986bdb504b22495.jpg
---

# McDonald's Tests Premium Beverages in 500 Stores After CosMc's

**TL;DR:** McDonald's is testing a new lineup of premium drinks at 500 locations across the country, following the discontinuation of its CosMc's beverage-focused spinoff. The test aims to bring select CosMc's-inspired drinks to a broader customer base and gauge customer interest.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2025-07-25. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/mcdonalds-is-the-latest-franchise-to-bet-big-on-beverages-with-500-store-premium-drink-test-2729909).*

## Story

McDonald’s is set to test a new lineup of premium drinks at 500 locations across the country starting in September 2025. This move follows the discontinuation of its CosMc’s beverage-focused spinoff and aims to bring select CosMc’s-inspired drinks to a broader customer base. The test menu will include a mix of cold brews, frappes, soda-based drinks and colorful refreshers, aligning with consumer demand — particularly from Gen Z — for sweet, cold and visually appealing beverages.

The company is using this test not only to gauge customer interest but also to gather operational feedback from employees and franchisees. McDonald’s emphasizes that frontline input will be critical in optimizing beverage preparation, equipment use and in-store execution. Other QSR brands like Taco Bell and Caribou Coffee are also in the process of expanding their own beverage offerings to appeal to the demand for drink-focused menus.

For McDonald’s, this beverage test is part of a larger effort to reignite traffic amid recent sales stagnation. The brand has already ramped up menu innovation in 2025, with the addition of Crispy Chicken Strips, the Daily Double and the return of the beloved Snack Wraps. With dedicated internal teams now focusing on chicken, beef and beverages/desserts, McDonald’s is clearly signaling that new products — especially in high-margin categories like drinks — are key to future growth.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- QSR (sector)
- McDonald's (company)
- Taco Bell (company)
- menu innovation (topic)
- sales growth (topic)
- qsr trends (topic)
- Caribou Coffee (company)
- beverage menu (topic)
- cosmc's (company)
- generational demand (topic)

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Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/mcdonalds-is-the-latest-franchise-to-bet-big-on-beverages-with-500-store-premium-drink-test-2729909). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/c0f4ba2e-1c98-4d8e-a26d-e96257ded10e).