Yes, it can be a chore to ask for multiple refills at the counter, but there are some perks to the no self-refill situation. When The State Journal-Register of Illinois interviewed some franchise owners, they shared how food safety and theft-prevention were some of the other factors that led to the scrapping of self-serving soda machines. Some locations have already had their soda fountains removed and have adopted the crew pour system. The new system minimizes human contact and prevents theft, which leads to a more relaxed dine-in experience.
After the news broke, netizens took to social media to share their views on McDonald’s decision. Some wonder if it’s a start to a “no free refills” era. “I can’t wait to get a massive attitude for asking for a refill. And how do you even do that if it’s one of the ones where you order everything at the kiosk and then they put it on the counter?” one Redditor questioned. Others were more optimistic, if a little sarcastic. “Finally doing their part to curb diabetes. Well done,” wrote one Twitter user. In any case, the change will take some time to take effect, so get creative with your soda combinations while you still can.