Fast-food chain McDonald’s (MCD) is getting ready to go beyond burgers and fries by testing a new line of colorful iced drinks this fall, according to The Wall Street Journal. The menu will feature items like Creamy Vanilla Cold Brews, Popping Tropic Refreshers, and “dirty sodas” mixed with flavored syrups and dried fruit. Starting in September, about 500 restaurants in Wisconsin and Colorado will offer the drinks. This shift is part of a bigger trend in the fast food industry, where premium beverages are driving growth for rivals, especially as Gen Z customers look for fun and unique drink options.
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Interestingly, drinks have become one of the fastest-growing parts of the restaurant business, especially as inflation causes people to spend less on full meals. Indeed, research firm Technomic reported that beverage- and snack-focused chains saw nearly 10% sales growth in 2024, compared to 1.4% growth for burger-focused chains. Drinks also tend to bring in higher profits. As a result, McDonald’s believes that the drink market could be worth $100 billion across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Europe.
Unsurprisingly, the company’s latest plan builds on what it learned from CosMc’s, which was an alien-themed spinoff that it launched in 2023 to test specialty drinks. While some items, such as the Churro Cold Brew Frappé, were popular, others failed to connect with customers, and McDonald’s ended the concept in May 2025. Nevertheless, McDonald’s new drink strategy includes simpler customization options and different flavors for international markets. With competitors also releasing new drinks, McDonald’s says it wants to move quickly to claim its spot.
Is MCD Stock a Good Buy?
Overall, analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus rating on MCD stock based on 14 Buys, 13 Holds, and two Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average MCD price target of $335.87 per share implies 13.7% upside potential.
