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Looking for a refill? McDonald's is saying goodbye to self-serve soda in the coming years

14 Sept 23:39 Key points summarised by AI

McDonald's plans to eliminate all self-serve soda machines from its U.S. restaurants by 2032, ending a long-standing customer perk.
The primary goal of this change is to ensure a consistent experience for both customers and crew across all service channels, including dine-in, drive-thru, and digital delivery.
This strategic shift aligns with evolving consumer behaviors, particularly the significant increase in digital and delivery sales post-pandemic, which accounted for nearly 40% of McDonald's Q2 2023 systemwide sales.
While specific additional factors like finances or sanitation were not confirmed, the move reflects a broader industry trend, with some McDonald's locations and other fast-food chains already transitioning to behind-the-counter beverage service.

Today 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.