The Big Changes You'll See At McDonald's In 2024

McDonald's has been in business since 1940, but the burger chain isn't resting on its laurels. Big changes are in the works for the company in 2024, including expansion of a new spin-off chain whose first location has already launched.

CosMc's is the new restaurant franchise in McDonald's ever-expanding universe, with the first location opening in Illinois in December 2023. More locations for this beverage-focused chain are coming soon, and food will be available, too (including traditional McDonald's favorites). Speaking of the menu, McDonald's has announced that its signature Big Mac burger will be available in an even bigger version, the Double Big Mac. 

Perhaps the biggest news on the burger front is that McDonald's beef patties and buns have gotten a makeover for 2024. The former will be juicier with more evenly-melted cheese, when required, and the latter will be softer than ever, per Delish. Did we mention McDonald's has also partnered with Google Cloud to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) technology into its mobile app and service platforms? Well, that's also happening, according to a recent press release. Looks like 2024 is going to be a banner year at the Golden Arches.

Traditionalists needn't fret about the launch of McDonald's spin-off franchise, CosMc's. Classic McDonald's stores are expanding, too, with 10,000 new locations forecasted to open around the globe by 2027. Meanwhile, a slightly smaller number of CosMc's locations will open this year. The first already launched in Bolingbrook, Illinois in December, and an estimated 10 more will open in or around Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio, Texas later this year. Exceedingly lines have been a regular occurrence at the Bolingbrook store, so we know that the hype is real (and that this singular store will soon get some help with managing it).

Beverages are the featured element of the CosMc menu, from coffees and teas to juices and slushies. All items are up for customizations, as well. Customers ordering a Churro Cold Brew Frappé, S'mores Cold Brew, or Blueberry Ginger Boost, for a few examples, can also ask for popping boba, a boost of Vitamin C, and other optional upgrades. Tasty food items will also be available, from McDonald's staples like the Egg McMuffin to a Spicy Queso and Creamy Avocado Tomatillo sandwich. Pretzel Bites are another fun offering, and come complete with dipping sauces.

If the CosMc's menu sounds delicious, wait until you hear about the changes McDonald's has made to its signature hamburgers. Or better yet, just visit a location near you to find out for yourself, as the new burger initiatives have already been integrated in stores across the U.S.

McDonald's has made changes to almost every aspect of its burger-making methodology, from cooking fewer patties at a time (six rather than eight) to get a better sear and juicier texture, and ensuring more freshness in veggie fixings like pickles and lettuce. Brioche buns are also now being sliced thicker (at least on the bottom) to help the sandwiches retain heat. That's not all — McDonald's has even changed the spacing of sesame seeds on its buns to improve the overall taste of the product.

These upgrades will be evident in a new addition to the McDonald's menu. We're talking about the Double Big Mac, whose comeback was recently announced by the company. The sandwich is only back for a limited time, so curious customers will want to sample it soon and enjoy its four all-beef patties, plus the aforementioned meltier cheese and fresher onions, lettuce, and pickles.

What else could McDonald's have in store for customers this year? According to the burger chain, it's also partnering with Google Cloud to integrate generative artificial intelligence into its service platforms. New hardware and software, for example, are expected to upgrade the official McDonald's mobile app and loyalty program, as well as the self-service ordering kiosks found in many of its restaurants.

New operational features courtesy of Google Distributed Cloud are expected to be launched at thousands of McDonald's locations in 2024, with teams from both companies working together at McDonald's global innovation center (Speedee Labs) to help improve the restaurant experience for customers and staff alike. The company states that speedier operations are a priority and Google Cloud will bring "information storage and high powered computing into individual restaurants." Faster service operations and technological improvements will hopefully make McDonald's other exciting 2024 changes even better.

The Double Big Mac isn't the only new burger this year: McDonald's also tested a brand new Chicken Big Mac in Miami in 2022, which featured two juicy, tempura-battered chicken patties instead of the beef ones found in the classic version. The burger was then rolled out across the U.K. and Ireland the same year, where it sold out within 10 days of launch. Following its success, the chain is now launching the Chicken Big Mac at select stores across the U.S. for a limited period starting October 10, 2024 — just days after McDonald's sued major beef suppliers for price-fixing. However, it's unclear whether it's a McDonald's burger that's cooked fresh, not frozen.

It seems that 2024 is the year of new burgers at The Golden Arches, on a global scale. In July 2024, CEO Chris Kempczinski announced that McDonald's was testing a brand new burger called the Big Arch in three international markets, including Canada. It features two quarter pound Canadian beef patties, three slices of cheese, slivered onions as well as crispy fried ones, lettuce, and pickles inside a toasted sesame and poppy seed bun with a tangy sauce. The chain intends to study how the new addition performs at these markets as part of its overall goal to gauge consumer response to bigger burgers this year. Whether or not the chain will scale up the Big Arch internationally or bring it to the U.S. remains to be seen, though.

While 2023 was all about the Squishmallows Happy Meal, 2024 marks a partnership between McDonald's and Crocs. In September 2024, the chain released limited-edition Crocs Happy Meal boxes featuring one of 8 collectible Crocs clips encased in their very own miniature box. The meal also comes with stickers to customize the tiny shoes, as well as a QR code which leads to an online page where customers can design their own pair of kicks using AR. Simultaneously, fans could also find McDonald's-themed shoes and socks at Crocs stores, designed in shades of red and gold with charms inspired by some of the chain's most iconic fast food offerings.

That's not all: 2024 also marks the start of a longterm partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme. Fans can expect three flavors — Original Glazed Doughnut, Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles Doughnut, and Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled Doughnut — available at their local Mickey D's starting at breakfast time. Speaking on the partnership, Tariq Hassan, McDonald's USA's Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, said: "Our fans' love for Krispy Kreme runs deep, and we can't wait to make it even easier for them to satisfy their sweet tooth at McDonald's restaurants across the country" (via Krispy Kreme). So far, the chain has tested this partnership across select stores in the U.S., but a rollout across a wider market will begin this year. Their goal is to make the sweet doughnuts available nationwide by the end of 2026.