Credits: Social Media
‘Biggest difference’ between McDonald’s in the UK vs America isnt the food
When you order a McDonalds in a different country to your home, youre not going to get the same meal.
From the menu offerings to the portion sizes, there are all kinds of differences – but the biggest one doesnt actually relate to the food.
‘Biggest difference’ between McDonalds in UK vs America
Kalani Ghost Hunter, an American internet star living in the UK, has shared one thing he noticed when he moved across the pond and ordered from the fast food chain – the soda drinks aren’t refillable!�
The biggest difference between McDonalds in the US and UK is not the side of the burgers, fries or McNuggets, its the drinks.�
“[American] people in the UK always say the biggest difference in their eyes is portion size. They always say it takes a while to get used to UK portions, but food portions are almost identical,” he said on TikTok.
Kalani then picked up a Quarter Pounder burger and said the burger is “exactly the same” size in the UK and US.
“But where the US is vastly different is drink size,” he continued before explaining that US McDonald’s has unlimited refills.
A large Coca-Cola costs �1.43 in the UK and once you’ve finished it, that’s it – there is no machine to go and refill it!
In the comments, people are saying the drinks taste better in the US too, with one person writing: “Diet coke and diet Pepsi taste better in USA.”
“Im so jealous of your drinks. They taste so much better,” said another.
Popular sodas like Coca-Cola and Fanta actually have different recipes in different countries, which is why American Fanta is so orange.
Plus, the packaging is different. In the UK, McDonald’s soda comes in paper cups whereas America uses clear plastic ones.
The drinks offerings are pretty similar though. The only difference is the States has a range of Frozen sodas including Frozen Fanta and Frozen Coca-Cola, as well as an Unsweetened Iced Tea.
McDonald’s is getting rid of self-serve soda for good
However, the amazing perk sadly isn’t going to be around for much longer. McDonald’s has announced plans to get rid of all its self-serve soda fountains in the US by 2032.
McDonald’s confirmed this to CBS News in September 2023 and said it comes down to the fact that people don’t really eat in their restaurants anymore. Since the pandemic, there has been a rise in drive-thru, take-out out and delivery orders, so the demand for the refill fountains just isn’t there.
McDonald’s has always allowed eat-in customers to refill their drinks, but as soon as you leave the restaurant, they are not refillable anymore. The fast food chain wants to make the sodas consistent across all ordering points, from dining in to going through the drive-through and ordering via the app.
Many locations across America have already got rid of their self-serve soda, while others will follow suit over the next eight years. Say goodbye to unlimited refills!
