Mysterious McDonald’s Spin-off CosMc’s Opening First Location
CosMc’s, a mysterious spin-off of McDonald’s, is preparing to open its first location. Business Insider reported the story last week after a handful of locals and TikTok foodies began leaking pictures of the building site and menu.
CosMc’s is named after a character who was introduced into the McDonaldland universe in 1987—a six-armed alien who, after learning of the chain's incomparable burgers and fries, made the move from outer space to planet Earth. CosMc’s was announced by CEO Chris Kempczinski on an earnings call earlier this year.
CosMc
— RadicallyRetro (@Radically_Retro) September 22, 2022
A McDonalds alien character from the #70s. pic.twitter.com/Pi1DvkIQyj
"CosMc's is a small-format concept with all the DNA of McDonald's but its own unique personality," Kempczinski described the new restaurant, according to Business Insider.
While further details were limited, a handful of local spies have begun to leak footage of CosMc’s premier location in the Chicago suburb of Bolingbrook, IL. TikToker @snackalator, who posts about new and exciting snack foods, posted a video last month which showcases the restaurant.
McDonald’s is launching a new concept and I was just there and grabbed pics of a whole new menu of items never been offered before
— Iman Jalali (@Stealx) November 29, 2023
The concept is being launched in Bollingrbook, IL and it’s called CosMc’s
It’s not open yet and there was a full team of actors in the drive thru… pic.twitter.com/Z64g4ykZXT
It’s long been speculated that CosMc’s is positioning itself as a competitor to Starbucks, and the footage released so far seems to back that up. There are four drive-thrus, meaning the restaurant will be much more focused on takeout than dine-in orders. The menu consists of “lighter” fare than one normally finds at McDonald’s, with an emphasis on juices, snacks, and sandwiches.
CosMc’s will serve eight different tea and lemonade options along with a bevy of coffees, including a s’mores cold brew and a turmeric-spiced latte. The menu also boasts new items such a a spicy queso sandwich, a creamy avocado tomatillo sandwich, pretzel and hash brown bites, and McPops, an item from international McDonald’s locations that’s essentially a filled donut hole. In addition to some traditional McD’s fare, like McMuffins and McFlurries, CosMc’s will offer chai and churro flavored frappes, and “signature galactic boosts” that include Sour Cherry Energy Burst and Pick-Me-Up Punch.
McDonald’s is launching a new concept and I was just there and grabbed pics of a whole new menu of items never been offered before
— Iman Jalali (@Stealx) November 29, 2023
The concept is being launched in Bollingrbook, IL and it’s called CosMc’s
It’s not open yet and there was a full team of actors in the drive thru… pic.twitter.com/Z64g4ykZXT
"It’s going to focus on the McCafe stuff and the coffee and the drinks as opposed to serving burgers and fries,” @snackalator said, “which makes even more sense when you realize that this CosMc's is being built directly next to an existing McDonald's.” The property, a former Boston Market, sits a short walk from its parent franchise within a shopping mall complex, separated by only a parking lot and a small green space.
CosMc’s resurrection is the latest nostalgia grab for McDonald’s after the chain reintroduced some iconic 1980s toys for their new adult Happy Meal. The opening of this first restaurant also comes at a time of unprecedented change for the venerable establishment, after it announced the elimination of self-service beverage dispensers and some big changes to its signature Big Mac.
@snackolator I have no idea what CosMc's will serve, but I'm very excited to find out what McDonald's has up their sleeve for this new concept. Are you excited for this new chain? What are you hoping they have? #mcdonalds #mcdonaldslife #mcds #cosmc #cosmcs #fastfood #mccafe #fastfoodlife #macdonalds #newfastfood
♬ original sound - snackolator