As retailers and grocers from Target to Amazon Fresh to fast food chains minting $3 and $5 menus, something has to give. That something is soda.
McDonald's recently said it is phasing out soda fountain stations--and it will start charging for refills. The news may be hard to stomach for consumers; however, for franchise owners it's a refreshing turn. Sodas have long served as one of the highest margin items on fast-food menus--and they've saved franchise owners from dipping into the red countless times over the years.
This is especially true when franchise systems--you know who you are--have pushed different freebies and loss leaders. Long before the $3 and $5 menus, there was the dollar menu, after all. These loss leaders can sting, as franchise owners often cannot pick and choose the campaigns in which they can participate.
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