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On the menu at a McDonald’s spinoff launching this month? Churro frappés, s’mores cold brew and popping pear slushes.
The fast-food chain said Wednesday that the first of its new CosMc’s locations will open in Bollingbrook, Ill., later in December. The company plans “a handful of additional outposts” in the months to come, promising “mood-boosting escapes across the Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metro areas.”
McDonald’s
MCD,
teased CosMc’s earlier this year with few details. The name is a nod to the company’s former alien mascot in the 1980s.
CosMc’s is “inspired by nostalgia,” McDonald’s said in Wednesday’s release, and diners will be able to customize their drinks with “popping boba, flavor syrups, energy or Vitamin C shots” and more.
On the food front, options will include the Creamy Avocado Tomatillo Sandwich and pretzel bits. There will also be Egg McMuffins and M&M McFlurries, two familiar favorites.
Also see: McDonald’s kicks off Crocs collaboration inspired by Grimace and the Hamburglar
While McDonald’s aims to open about 10 CosMc’s pilot locations by the end of 2024, it has bigger plans for its trademark restaurant.
The company said earlier Wednesday that it is aiming to have 50,000 restaurants by the end of 2027, which would make for the fastest growth in the company’s history.
McDonald’s disclosed 41,198 total systemwide restaurants in its last quarterly filing. About 39,000 of those were franchised, while the balance represented company-owned locations.
“We have a clear trajectory for future growth as we continue to build on the brand strength, global footprint and digital ecosystem that have resulted in unparalleled competitive advantages and cemented McDonald’s as one of the world’s leading consumer-facing brands,” Chief Executive Chris Kempczinski said in a release.
The growth plans are “well above Street estimates,” Jefferies analyst Andy Barish wrote in a note to clients.
