McDonald’s is shutting down its alien-themed spinoff, CosMc’s, after only two years. The chain announced that it will close all five CosMc’s locations in June and discontinue their standalone app and loyalty program.
CosMc’s was launched in 2023 to compete with specialty coffee chains like Dutch Bros., Scooter’s, and Swig, which have gained popularity among Gen Z consumers. The menu featured sweet drinks and light snacks, aiming to capitalize on afternoon slumps. However, fewer customers customized their drinks than expected, leading the company to rethink its strategy.
With McDonald’s recently reporting sales declines due to economic uncertainty, the leadership has shifted focus back to fixing its core product. Despite this, CosMc’s inspired new customizable drink tests with some franchisees later this year.
The CosMc’s locations will be closed at the end of June, marking the end of an alien-themed experiment that aimed to tap into the fast-growing beverage space.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/24/food/mcdonalds-cosmcs-spinoff-closure