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

The Chicago-based fast food chain plans to eliminate self-service soda machines at its U.S. restaurants by 2032, McDonald's confirmed this week. It's unclear if locations outside the U.S. will follow suit.

The Chicago-based fast food chain plans to eliminate self-service soda machines at its U.S. restaurants by 2032, McDonald's confirmed this week. It's unclear if locations outside the U.S. will follow suit.

In an email to The Associated Press Tuesday, McDonald's USA said the goal of the change is to create consistency for customers and crew members across the chain's offerings — from in-person dining to online delivery and drive-thru options.

The company did not specify if any additional factors — such as finances or sanitation — impacted the decision to part ways with its self-serve machines. For years, McDonald's customers have used the machines to fill and refill their beverages without additional trips to a cashier.