McDonald’s Launching Coffee Shop-Style Chain to Compete with Starbucks

McDonald's has announced a bold new effort: A coffee shop-style spin-off chain to compete with Starbucks.

The new chain is being dubbed CosMc's, which is a reference to an alien character first introduced in 1986 as part of the unique cast of characters of McDonaldland. CosMc was discontinued as a character around 1992. However, the official CosMc's website is spinning that disappearance as simply the alien experimenting and perfecting the CosMc's menu in CosMcland.

The CosMc's website states, "After millions and millions of aliens served, CosMc decided it was time to bring this menu down to Earth. To let humans order exactly what they crave with their own unique spin."

So far, the first CosMc's location opens in Bolingbrook, Ill. this week. After that, ten more locations will open in the Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metro areas of Texas by the end of 2024.

So, what will CosMc's offer in the way of drinks and food? When it comes to drinks, there's a unique mix of Frappés, including a Churro Frappé and a Chai Frappé Burst. Other coffee drinks are on the menu, like a S'mores Cold Brew and a Tumeric Spiced Latte. There are even some tea drinks and other fruity caffeinated options, including the Sour Cherry Energy Burst and the Blackberry Mint Green Tea.

As for food, CosMc's will feature two new breakfast sandwiches: the Creamy Avocado Tomatillo Sandwich and the Spicy Queso Sandwich. Additionally, they'll have savory snack items -- like Pretzel Bites --  and sweet snack items -- like the stuffed mini donuts called McPops.

Of course, there will be some McDonald's crossover items, like Egg McMuffin Sandwiches and the McFlurry. Although, who knows how long ice cream menu options will last, considering the reputation for McDonald's ice cream machines constantly breaking.

The full menu offerings at CosMc's can be found at CosMcs.com.

The once-challenging quest for vegan options at fast-food restaurants has gotten a lot easier in recent years. Gone are the days of painstakingly customizing orders to suit specific dietary needs. Or worse, just having French fries and lettuce. Fast-food chains have taken significant strides in recent years, expanding their menus to offer an array of plant-based choices.

Plenty of fast-food chains have recognized the shifting dietary preferences of their customers and have embraced the challenge of providing satisfying vegan options. The evolution of vegan choices at these establishments has been impressive. From the golden arches of well-known burger joints to the cozy corners of popular sandwich shops, the vegan revolution has made its mark.

Vegans no longer have to rely solely on customizing existing meals to meet their dietary requirements. Instead, they can revel in the sheer variety that now graces the menus of fast-food chains. These establishments now proudly feature vegan burgers that sizzle and satisfy, dairy-free milkshakes, and even plant-based twists on classic comfort foods.

With an increasing number of people embracing plant-based lifestyles and seeking sustainable dining choices, the fast-food industry has risen to the occasion. These establishments understand that providing diverse options isn't just about following a trend but about fostering inclusivity and catering to many people with specific tastes and needs. So, the next time you're in a hurry and hunger strikes, rest assured that the vegan options at fast-food restaurants are not only abundant but also thoughtfully crafted to satisfy your cravings and nourish your values.

Whether you’re on a diet, dairy-free, vegetarian, or simply vegan there are fast-food places for you to grab a quick bite. Check out these fast-food vegan restaurant menu items. If you're a very strict vegan, you might consider checking with the establishment regarding any potential cross-contamination with meat products when placing your order.

According to Taco Bell, most of their products are vegan. They say to order any item "fresco style", which replaces mayo-based sauces, cheeses, and reduced-fat sour cream with freshly prepared diced tomatoes. Then, substitute the protein with black beans, refried beans, or potato bites. In June, the chain announced that they’re testing a new Vegan Crunchwrap which is meatless and dairy-free. If all goes well, you can soon see that on menus too.

For a restaurant known for its coffee, you may be surprised by the vegan options. Dunkin offers more than 20 vegan menu items, according to their site. Dunkin' features avocado toast and a selection of non-dairy milk alternatives such as oat, almond, and coconut milk to accompany your coffee. In addition to avocado toast, vegans can enjoy other choices like avocado and roasted tomato toast, a bacon avocado tomato sandwich minus the bacon, various bagels including plain, cinnamon raisin, everything, and sesame without cream cheese, an English muffin, and hash browns.

For those seeking plant-based options, Chipotle has consistently offered a reliable meal comprising rice, beans, fajita veggies, salsa, and guacamole. The year 2013 saw a transformative addition to Chipotle's menu with the introduction of vegan sofritas. This was a game-changing choice; it features flavorful spicy braised tofu. As confirmed by the restaurant chain, their sofritas option has been given the seal of approval for both vegans and vegetarians alike.

Burger King offers the Impossible Burger patty, which is widely available across their fast-food outlets nationwide. The Impossible Whopper, just like the classic version, features an Impossible patty crafted from plant-based ingredients. Both Burger King and Impossible Foods representatives informed INSIDER that, upon request, the Impossible Whopper can be prepared separately to ensure it is not cooked on the same surface used for meat products. Additionally, Burger King has begun testing Impossible chicken nuggets.