McDonald's to Roll Out New Cold Drinks in US This Year

McDonald's Corp. plans to launch an expanded lineup of cold beverages at its U.S. restaurants this year, including energy drinks and flavored refreshers, as part of a strategy to capture a larger share of the growing drink market. The rollout begins next month with crafted sodas and fruit-based options, followed by energy drinks in August, according to a report citing internal company documents.

The new offerings include a Dirty Dr Pepper, a Mango Pineapple Refresher, and a Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer. McDonald's intends to price these drinks below those of competitors such as Starbucks, Dutch Bros and Sonic Drive-In, aligning with the chain's broader push to appeal to price-sensitive customers amid economic pressures. Officials said the beverages will maintain quick service times while delivering high profit margins for franchise operators, who run most locations.

The company confirmed the initiative in a statement, noting the deep fan enthusiasm for its drinks. "Our fans' love for McDonald's beverages runs deep, from rallying for the return of Hi-C Orange Lavaburst to coining the term Spicy Sprite," the statement read. "Next month, we're building on that passion with a new...