Colorado McDonald's Ending Self-Service Drinks

McDonald's is making a change, and every one of their restaurants in Colorado will be affected.

If your typical McDonald's visit includes an ice-cold beverage from the dispenser, this impending change may make you a little McCranky.

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McChange Is On The Horizon

Right here, right now, when you order inside your favorite Colorado McDonald's, you take your cup and proceed to the self-serve soda machine. It's been that way for years. Prepare to say goodbye.

So Long Self-Serve

The day will come when you'll no longer have the option of walking up to the soda dispenser and pouring your own drink. This may spell doom for those who enjoy repeated refills, or those individuals who whip up bizarre combinations of soft drinks.

This also spells disaster for that occasional non-paying customer who walks into McDonald's with their cup and fills it up with a beverage while not paying. How many times have you witnessed that little stunt?

What's The Motive?

Was this change motivated by concerns regarding sanitation? In a post-COVID world, there's always the matter of keeping things cooty-free.

In an email to The Associated Press dated September 12, 2023, McDonald’s USA said the reason for the change is "...to create consistency for customers and crew members across the chain’s offerings — from in-person dining to online delivery and drive-thru options."

Is This Going To Happen Tomorrow?

Nothing is going to happen overnight. The Associate Press reports McDonald's plans to eliminate all self-service soda machines at its United States locations by the year 2032.

McDonald's In Colorado

This may surprise you, but according to a 2021 report by 247WallSt.com, Colorado is home to 207 McDonald's restaurants. Is that considerably lower than you expected? At that number, Colorado is right smack in the middle of the country, having the 25th fewest McDonald's in the nation. California had the most of any state with 1,264 locations.

Plan You Perfect Burger Quest With Colorado's 10 Finest Burgers

When you engage in your quest for the perfect burger, where's the best place to begin in Colorado?

The website Enjoy Travel put together a list of the best burgers in the state of Colorado. Some of these are stand-alone mom-and-pop joints, others have locations all over the Centennial State. Here's a look at the Top 10.

Gallery Credit: Waylon Jordan

Where You Can Find Whataburger Ketchup In Colorado

Like many chain burger joints, Whataburger has a legion of devoted fans. If you're one of them, get ready for some good news.

The word on the street is the ketchup served at Whataburger stores is something special. According to KLTV, Whataburger has gone on record claiming its ketchup contains hints of pepper that "build to a perfect marriage of sweet and heat."

Well, here's the good news. Whataburger Spicy Ketchup is hitting the shelves at retail outlets all over the state of Colorado. It's not going to be everywhere, but it will be carried by a couple of major Colorado retailers.

You'll find Whataburger Spicy Ketchup at these Colorado stores. A two-pack will run you $7.89.

Gallery Credit: Waylon Jordan

Small Locally-Owned Colorado Restaurants Worth The Drive

Do find yourself hopping in the car and driving 60 or 70 miles just to visit your favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant or cafe. People in Western Colorado do this all the time. They gather the fam-damily and pile in the SUV to drive up to Mesa to visit the Wagon Wheel. Maybe you pile in the car and drive from Grand Junction to Meeker simply to visit Clark's Burgers.

I asked on Facebook, "Name a small, locally-owned restaurant/cafe/bakery in Western Colorado that's worth making the drive for." Here's what you had to say.

Gallery Credit: Waylon Jordan

Source: A Huge Change Coming to All Colorado McDonald’s Locations

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Categories: Colorado News