Details emerge about McDonald’s mysterious spinoff restaurant CosMc’s

By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer
Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

    Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

    McDonald’s will open the CosMc’s chain next year.
    McDonald’s will open the CosMc’s chain next year.
    Klaudia Radecka—NurPhoto/Getty Images

    McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski caught the world by surprise in July when he announced in an earnings call that the restaurant chain planned a spinoff brand that would open in 2024 called CosMc’s. Since then, the company hasn’t had a lot to say about the newest fast-food competitor, but details are finally starting to leak out.

    While McDonald’s doesn’t plan to publicly share information until its investor day meeting later today, the internet has done its thing and sussed out a few of the surprises.

    A post on Twitter/X from Chicago-area real estate investor Iman Jalali found a build of the restaurant in Bolingbrook, Ill., just outside Chicago (where McDonald’s is headquartered). Though not open, the poster said a commercial was being filmed. And he managed to get some pictures of the menu, as well.

    Assuming the shots are accurate, CosMc’s will offer a significant number of new drink offerings, as well as an all-day breakfast menu. Among the new drinks shown were:

    • Sour Cherry Energy Burst
    • Berry Hibiscus Sour-Ade
    • Island Pick-Me-Up Punch
    • Blueberry Ginger Boost
    • S’mores Cold Brew
    • Turmeric Spiced Latte
    • Churro Frappe

    The chain will also have its own sandwiches, including one with spicy queso and another called the “creamy avocado tomatillo sandwich.”

    It should be noted that any menu items in these photos could be placeholders or meant to throw off people trying to learn more about the chain.

    CosMc’s revolves around a character introduced in 1987—a robot of sorts, with a green head, a fishbowl-like body, and arms and legs. In his commercial, he tells Ronald McDonald and Grimace he “popped in from outer space on a trade mission,” but proceeds to swap less-than-desirable objects for a burger and fries. He’s ultimately stopped via a giant magnet, but joins the gang for a picnic.

    (It was the mid- to late-80s … It wasn’t the weirdest thing going on, but it was still pretty weird.)

    The new store is set to open sometime next year.

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