Why McDonald's Is Phasing Out Self-Service Soda Stations

It was always special growing up when my mom or dad would stop and get up McDonald's for breakfast or lunch. There was just something about getting to pick what you wanted for a Happy Meal and then waiting to see what toy you'd get inside the bag. One core memory involved eating inside the Golden Arches, but it sounds like future generations of kids won't have the same core experience. Here's what's starting to change with McDonald's.

'Everything' Pop

There were two distinct McDonald's visits as a kid: the drive-thru or going inside to eat. Oftentimes, as a family, we just hit up the drive-thru as we were either coming from or going to an appointment, missed a meal because of it, and needed something to eat before going to school.

The other way, going inside to eat, was always an adventure because, once you reached a certain age, you got to pour your own pop. Remember that feeling, knowing you got to decide how much ice you got, and how full your cup was going to be.

And of course, when you were making your decision on what pop you were going to have, it always crossed your mind what it would be like to put a little bit of every pop in your cup.

One day, you decided to pull the trigger and go for a little bit of everything. It wasn't what you were expecting. Generally, the fruit punch/orange soda/root beer option made it taste 'fuzzier' than you were expecting, but you were going to drink it because your parents paid for it and you weren't going to waste it.

Self-Service Pop Stations Going Away

The core memory you unlocked by creating an 'everything' pop is going away. It was announced this week that McDonald's was phasing out the self-service pop dispensers as it changes its business model.

According to Fox Business, the changes are being made to "reduce labor and maintenance demands, and adapt to changing consumer habits that increasingly favor takeout, delivery and drive-thru service over dining in."

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The official end of the self-service soda machine will happen across all McDonald's by 2032. So you've still got some time to unlock a core memory with your kids or grandkids.

6 Photos You Won't Believe Were Taken In Minnesota

After having spent the greater part of the last three weeks outside Minnesota, it has been great to be back. We live in a very beautiful part of the country. From the North Shore's jagged cliffs to the rolling croplands of southern Minnesota and to the driftless area near Preston, our state is filled with beautiful sights. I managed to find 6 photos that were taken right here in Minnesota, but when you look at them, you'd think they were taken somewhere else completely. Let's enjoy the land of 10,000 photos, shall we?

Gallery Credit: Unsplash