McDonald’s is rolling out some pretty dramatic changes that will affect how everyone pays, orders, and eats at the Golden Arches. From new payment rules that make cash transactions more complicated to massive menu overhauls and restaurant expansions, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of major shifts for America’s most famous fast food chain.
Cash payments will cost more thanks to penny shortage
Paying with cash at McDonald’s is about to get more expensive and confusing. The U.S. Treasury announced it’s stopping penny production in early 2026 because it costs nearly four cents to make each penny, resulting in an $85.3 million loss in 2024 alone. This has forced McDonald’s to create new rounding rules for cash transactions that could add extra cents to meals.
Here’s how the new system works: meals ending in one or two cents get rounded down to zero, but items ending in three or four cents get rounded up to five cents. Orders ending in six or seven cents round down to five cents, while eight or nine cents round up to ten cents. Only exact change applies to items ending in five or zero cents. Many customers are calling the system “confusing” and asking why McDonald’s doesn’t just change menu prices instead of doing math at checkout.
Menu items will arrive faster with new development team
McDonald’s is completely restructuring how it creates and launches new menu items. The company announced a new Restaurant Experience Team specifically designed to move ideas from concept to restaurant much faster. CEO Chris Kempczinski pointed out that their recent burger upgrades took years to implement, which is way too slow for today’s competitive market. The new system aims to cut that timeline significantly.
This change means customers can expect to see more frequent menu additions and limited-time offers throughout 2026. The faster development process will help McDonald’s respond more quickly to food trends and customer demands. Instead of waiting years for new items, the streamlined approach could bring new options to restaurants within months of initial development.
Technology upgrades will change the ordering experience
McDonald’s is putting Jill McDonald, currently heading their international division, in charge of streamlining technology across all restaurant operations. As the first chief restaurant experience officer, she’ll focus on improving everything from ordering kiosks to delivery apps and supply chain management. The goal is making sure all the tech actually works well for both customers and restaurant managers.
This tech overhaul will likely mean smoother app ordering, better kiosk functionality, and more reliable delivery tracking. McDonald’s wants to eliminate the frustration many customers experience with glitchy ordering systems and slow service. The company recognizes that poor technology experiences drive customers to competitors, so they’re investing heavily in improving digital interactions across all touchpoints.
Chicken options will expand significantly across menus
McDonald’s is doubling down on chicken with plans to capture more market share by the end of 2026. The company sees huge potential in expanding their chicken portfolio beyond current offerings like McNuggets and McChicken sandwiches. CEO Kempczinski specifically mentioned the return of Snack Wraps, which were discontinued years ago but remain highly requested by customers on social media.
The chicken expansion isn’t just about bringing back old favorites. McDonald’s plans to introduce entirely new chicken products throughout 2026, though they’re keeping specific details under wraps for now. This focus on chicken offerings comes as the protein continues to be popular with health-conscious consumers who see it as a lighter alternative to beef burgers.
New drinks and desserts will compete with specialty chains
McDonald’s is developing new beverages and desserts specifically to compete with coffee shops and specialty drink chains. Charlie Newberger, who currently runs the CosMc offshoot, will lead this effort to create products that give customers fewer reasons to visit competitors. The company recognizes they’re losing customers who come for food but go elsewhere for drinks.
Expect to see energy drinks, refreshers, and more sophisticated dessert options hit McDonald’s menus in 2026. The company wants to become a one-stop destination where customers don’t need to make additional stops at Starbucks or other specialty chains. This beverage expansion represents a significant shift toward competing directly with coffee and smoothie chains rather than just other burger restaurants.
Restaurant count will jump from 43,500 to 50,000 locations
McDonald’s has ambitious expansion plans that will add 6,500 new restaurants by 2027, with much of that growth happening in 2026. This massive expansion means many communities that don’t currently have convenient McDonald’s access will get new locations. The company believes this physical expansion, combined with their other changes, will help them capture more market share.
The new restaurants won’t just be traditional locations either. McDonald’s is exploring different formats and sizes to fit various markets and customer needs. Some locations might be smaller express formats in high-traffic areas, while others could be larger restaurants with expanded seating and services. This restaurant expansion represents one of the most aggressive growth periods in the company’s recent history.
Other major chains are also expanding rapidly
While McDonald’s makes these changes, several other restaurant chains are also planning major expansions that will increase competition. Culver’s, known for ButterBurgers and frozen custard, plans to open 50-60 new locations in 2026, expanding into Southern and Southwestern states. Paris Baguette aims to open at least 150 new bakery locations, bringing their French-style pastries and coffee to 34 states.
Houston TX Hot Chicken, recently acquired for $1 billion, plans to nearly double in size during 2026 with 15-20 new locations. El Pollo Loco is expanding outside California for the first time in years, while Port of Subs is going national after decades of Western-only presence. This restaurant expansion across multiple chains means consumers will have many more dining options in their neighborhoods.
Convenience stores are also changing cash payment rules
McDonald’s isn’t alone in dealing with the penny shortage crisis. Major convenience store chains like Sheetz, Kwik Trip, and Love’s Travel Stops are implementing their own cash rounding policies. Sheetz decided to round up all cash purchases, while Kwik Trip rounds everything down to the nearest five cents. Love’s Travel Stops rounds change up in favor of customers when stores run out of pennies.
These different approaches mean customers will need to learn various rounding systems depending on where they shop. Some stores favor customers with their rounding, while others favor the business. The inconsistency across different chains could make cash transactions more confusing for consumers who frequent multiple establishments. This penny shortage is creating a patchwork of different payment policies across the country.
Credit and debit cards become more important than ever
With cash payments becoming more complicated and potentially more expensive, using credit or debit cards at McDonald’s and other restaurants becomes increasingly attractive. Card payments aren’t affected by any rounding rules, so customers pay exactly the menu price without worrying about getting charged extra cents. Mobile payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay also avoid these complications entirely.
The shift away from cash could accelerate as more customers realize they might save money by using cards instead. This change particularly affects older customers and those without bank accounts who rely more heavily on cash transactions. McDonald’s and other chains might need to ensure their card readers and mobile payment systems work reliably to handle the increased volume of electronic transactions.
These McDonald’s changes represent some of the biggest shifts the chain has made in years, affecting everything from how customers pay to what they can order. While some changes like improved technology and faster menu development should benefit customers, others like the new cash rounding rules will likely frustrate many people. The massive expansion plans and competition from other growing chains mean 2026 will be an interesting year for fast food customers across America.
