Bolingbrook, IL — McDonald’s is officially closing the chapter on its short-lived beverage spinoff, CosMc’s, with all locations set to shut down starting late June 2025.
The fast-food giant confirmed Friday that it will begin a phased closure of every CosMc’s store, including the first-ever location in Bolingbrook, Illinois. The announcement comes less than two years after the concept launched, aiming to compete in the growing market for specialty drinks.
Why McDonald’s Is Closing CosMc’s
Launched in December 2023, CosMc’s was billed as a futuristic, drink-forward brand inspired by an alien mascot from McDonald’s 1980s advertising. The brand offered a range of bold beverages — including the Churro Frappe and Sour Cherry Energy Burst — along with snack-sized menu items like pretzel bites and spicy queso sandwiches.
From the start, CosMc’s drew attention as a potential challenger to Starbucks and Dunkin’. The locations operated as drive-thru-only stores, with digital menus and app-based ordering. But according to McDonald’s, the complexity of running a separate brand ultimately didn’t align with its long-term goals.
“CosMc’s was created to help us explore new flavors, formats, and operations in a separate space,” the company said in a statement. “We’ve learned a lot — and now it’s time to bring those lessons back into our core restaurants.”
What Happens Next for CosMc’s Customers
McDonald’s also announced it will discontinue the CosMc’s app, which had been used for mobile ordering and promotions. While the chain itself is going away, fans of the drinks won’t be left empty-handed for long.
Select CosMc’s beverage recipes are expected to appear in McDonald’s test menus nationwide later this year, although specific drinks haven’t been confirmed. Internally, McDonald’s has already formed a dedicated team focused on innovating its beverage lineup, signaling that the CosMc’s experiment will influence future offerings.
The Locations Closing
Five CosMc’s locations will be closed permanently:
- 285 N. Weber Road, Bolingbrook, IL
- 5341 McPherson Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX
- 12360 FM 1957, San Antonio, TX
- 8726 Potranco Road, San Antonio, TX
- 861 W. Stacy Road, Allen, TX
Despite strong openings and social buzz in its first months, the concept struggled to maintain traffic and align with McDonald’s broader efficiency goals.
A Strategic Pivot, Not a Failure
While the closure of CosMc’s may seem abrupt, McDonald’s executives view it as a strategic test that delivered valuable insights.
“This was never about launching a new permanent brand,” said one company insider. “It was about learning fast and applying what works.”
By sunsetting CosMc’s and integrating its most successful ideas back into the core McDonald’s menu, the company aims to streamline its operations while keeping up with consumer demand for bold, customizable beverages.