CosMc’s, McDonald’s specialty beverage spinoff concept that launched last year, has opened in San Antonio, Texas. This opening marks the fifth CosMc’s location, out of 10 total planned, and it is the first to feature a full outdoor lobby and covered patio. Customers can order via the drive-thru, kiosks, walk-up, or app.
The first CosMc’s opened in late 2023 in Bolingbrook, Ill., just outside of Chicago, and three others have since opened – in Watauga, Dallas, and Arlington, Texas. The remaining locations are set to open across the Dallas and San Antonio metro areas “in the coming months,” according to the company.
In addition to new design elements, the San Antonio location also features a new menu item, called Sprite Moonsplash, with Sprite, citrus and sweet vanilla flavors served with dried blueberries and a lemon wheel over ice. Other signature beverages include the Sour Cherry Energy Burst, Churro Cold Brew Frappé, Hazelnut Mocha Cold Brew, Popping Pear Slush, and Sour Tango Lemonade. There are also signature sandwiches, such as the Spicy Queso Sandwich and Creamy Avocado Tomatillo Sandwich, and Savory Hashbrown Bites.
To mark the San Antonio opening, located at 12360 FM 1957, a grand opening event will be held Aug. 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including free samples and merch for the first 100 customers. Customers can also download the new CosMc’s loyalty app to redeem benefits such as a free welcome drink and points with every purchase.
CosMc’s was created to solve what McDonald’s has called the “3 p.m. slump.” The company plans to pull results from its 10 locations to “innovate, test, and learn with speed,” as CEO Chris Kempczinski explained during McDonald’s Investor Day event last year. He added that McDonald’s is under indexed in the afternoon daypart.
“McDonald’s is operating from a position of strength. Customer love for the brand is stronger than any time in our history. That gives us permission to stretch the reach of the brand into new areas to grow the business. One area of focus has been identifying ways to participate in attractive and fast-growing categories. We homed in on specialty beverages and coffee... It’s a space we believe we have the right to win,” he said.
The idea of CosMc’s — based on the chain’s alien character from the 1980s — came to life because it checked three key boxes for the company, Kempczinski said — it is differentiated, it has global appeal, and it generates strong returns.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
