WASHINGTON — McDonald's officially confirmed this week its universe will be expanding with the launch of a new test restaurant format to try and compete with chains like Starbucks and Dunkin'.
The company revealed Wednesday it will open about 10 CosMc's locations by the end of 2024. The first will be opening this month in Bolingbrook, Illinois, near the company's headquarters in Chicago. The rest will be in Texas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metro areas, according to the announcement. The company plans to study the results for at least a year before determining whether to expand with more.
Photos and videos of the first site went viral on social media earlier this week ahead of the official announcement. It looks to be about the size of standalone Starbucks and Dunkin locations with four drive-thru lines.
The company describes CosMc's as "a new small-format, beverage-led concept" that's "powered by a menu of bold, refreshing beverages and tasty treats"
McDonald's President and CEO Chris Kempczinski explained Wednesday that CosMc's is designed to fill in a slump in sales that the company sees in the mid-afternoon. But the complexity of the drinks it will offer — like a churro frappe, a pear-flavored slush or a turmeric latte — make it impossible to fit into its existing restaurants. The first CosMc's in Illinois is even right next door to an existing McDonald's location.
CosMc's — named after a space alien character that McDonald's first introduced in the 1980s — will also serve snacks like pretzel bites and Egg McMuffins.
CosMc's menu items
The CosMc's menu unveiled Wednesday features a wide range of new drinks including "Galactic boosts," slushes, frappés and a variety of coffee options. As for food, the menu includes a couple of traditional McDonald's favorites along with some new breakfast sandwiches and snack items.
Signature Galactic boosts
- Sour cherry energy burst
- Berry hibiscus sour-ade
- Blueberry ginger boost
- Island pick-me-up punch
Iced Teas and Lemonades
- Tropical spiceade
- Sour tango lemonade
- Island pick-me-up punch
- Berry hibiscus sour-ade
- Blackberry mint green tea
- Lemonade
- Sweet tea
- Half & half
- Iced black tea
- Iced green tea
- Blueberry ginger boost
Slushes & Frappés
- Sour cherry energy burst
- Chai frappe burst
- Popping pear slush
- Pomegranate hibiscus slush
- Churryo frappé
- Cold brew frappé
Brews
- Turmeric spiced latte
- Cappuccino
- Latte
- Chai Tea latte
- Mocha
- Brewed coffee
- Black tea
- Green tea
- Peppermint tea
- Hot chocolate
- Iced turmeric spiced latte
- S'mores cold brew
- Cold brew
- Iced latte
- Iced chai tea latte
- Iced coffee
- Iced mocha
- Iced black tea
- Sweet tea
- Iced green tea
Existing McDonald's offerings
- Egg McMuffin
- Sausage McMuffin with Egg
- Bacon McMuffin with Egg
- Oreo McFlurry
- M&Ms McFlurry
Sandwiches
- Spicy queso sandwich
- Creamy avocado tomatillo sandwich
Bites
- Savory hash brown bites
- Pretzel bites
- Snack box
- Cookie butter McPops
- Apple Cinnamon McPops
- Hazelnut McPops
Baked goods
- Sea salt chocolate chip cookie
- Blueberry lemon cookie
- Caramel fudge brownie
The Associated Press contributed to this report.