McDonald’s Customers Aren’t Loving Big Restaurant Change: ‘McRipoff’

Big Mac combo with drink

Ba da ba ba ba – customers are absolutely not loving the latest update coming out of McDonald’s headquarters.

In late 2023, the chain announced that it would phase out self-serve drink machines – first introduced in 2004 to make the dining experience easier for customers – by 2032.

According to a Market Reportmany reasons were listed behind the decision, highlighting theft, space and an emphasis on creating a “relaxed dining experience”.

At the time, the chain also announced that it would be eliminating another fan-favorite benefit, with some Golden Arches locations no longer offering free refills.

While many saw the decision as a huge blow to longtime customers, a representative for the fast food chain assured Business Insider that refills now sold over the counter would remain “at the discretion of individual restaurant owners/operators,” however, this was not enough to put customers at ease.

Fans of the network took to social media, including Redditto vent their frustrations, filing the news in the “McRipoff” category.

“They raised prices, reduced portion sizes, skimped on burgers and now this. Please everyone stop going to McDonald’s,” one fan commented. Although it could be argued that it is contradictory to the chain’s plans to release the biggest burger ever, along with the limited time $5 Value Meal Plan launch in June to attract low-income customers.

“Seriously, this is a terrible idea. This is a big reason why I would choose McDonalds over another option. Shooting themselves in the foot with this one,” noted another Redditor, while someone else questioned, “How do they go from 1 dollar of any size to this.”

“Soda is so cheap I can’t see the logic behind it,” lamented a third, as many pointed out that it’s “the cheapest overhead, highest margin thing they offer.”

Some simply chalked it up to corporate “greed.”

However, others pointed out that the outrage was not justified as “the company is letting stores decide individually. McDonald’s is not unilaterally getting rid of them.”

Others admitted they couldn’t remember the last time they stepped foot in a restaurant – opting to order via the app or drive-thru – so they never benefited from additional refills in the first place. However, many outside the US questioned the need for free refills, noting that it was not a common practice in other countries.

The chain recently saw a lot of pushback when it came to menu pricing, specifically, changes to its famous Dollar menuwhich advertises $1, $2, and $3 items.

A fan pointed out TikTok that the local McDonald’s did not include any items actually priced at $1, with the cheapest options on the menu being a McChicken and small fries, priced at $1.99 each.

While McDonald’s may have angered some people with its decision to restock, there are plenty of menu makeovers to get customers excited, including the latest dessert addition – the Grandma McFlurry.

The fast food chain was also delighted with the return of some highly anticipated items, such as the McCafé Oreo Frappé, Spicy Chicken McNuggets and beloved Breakfast Bagels.

McDonald’s even dabbled in some new items when launching the Remix menufeaturing a collection of items featuring popular mash-ups with a twist and an all-new partnership with Krispy Kreme.

Next: So *this* is why Coke tastes so much better at McDonald’s