Last month, McDonald’s spinoff CosMc’s opened its first location outside Chicago to much success. The drive-thru-only concept, which focuses on beverages and small snacks rather than meals, became an instant hit. Now, new data from the business insights platform Placer.ai shows just how popular CosMc’s has been in its short time since opening.
According to Placer.ai’s report published on January 6th, CosMc’s saw more than double the number of visitors in December 2023 compared to a typical McDonald’s location chainwide.
This is despite the fact that CosMc’s has only been open since December 7th and its smaller footprint of 2,500 square feet. The report also notes that CosMc’s saw triple the number of visits per square foot.
However, the demand for CosMc’s may have been even higher had it been able to handle the overwhelming crowds. Wait times to order food and beverages were reported to be as long as six hours during the restaurant’s opening week, and the local police had to be called in to direct traffic around the building.
CosMc’s unique business model, with its smaller square footage and focus on beverages, appears to be working well for the chain. The menu features four “Signature Galactic Boosts,” iced teas, lemonades, slushes, frappes, and a variety of coffee drinks, as well as breakfast options.
While the Bolingbrook, Illinois location is currently the only CosMc’s in the US, McDonald’s has plans to open at least 10 more pilot locations in Texas by the end of 2024.
Placer.ai’s visit to the Bolingbrook store showed that business was booming, with roughly 80 vehicles waiting in line. The report also noted that separate parking had to be used at a nearby shopping center to accommodate the high number of customers.
Visitors to CosMc’s order from dynamic menu boards and use cashless payment devices to expedite the payment process. The report also mentioned that online ordering is not yet available, which could contribute to the long wait times in the drive-thru lanes. However, the CosMc’s website states that this feature is coming soon.
McDonald’s representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Finally, the report highlighted McDonald’s previous attempts to differentiate its coffee business with its standalone McCafes, which have faced difficulties in competition with brands like Starbucks. However, CosMc’s appears to be finding success with a younger audience.
