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    Home»Business & Economy»US Business & Economy»Food Franchises Are Jumping on the $100B Beverage Bandwagon
    US Business & Economy

    Food Franchises Are Jumping on the $100B Beverage Bandwagon

    News DeskBy News DeskApril 30, 2026No Comments9 Mins Read
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    Food Franchises Are Jumping on the $100B Beverage Bandwagon
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    Food Franchises Are Jumping on the $100B Beverage Bandwagon

























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    McDonald’s, KFC, Taco Bell, Wendy’s and Burger King are launching crafted drinks with boba and cold foam to cash in on the trend.

    By

    Jonathan Small


    |


    edited by
    Dan Bova


    |


    Apr 30, 2026

    Would you like a boba with that Big Mac? That’s what McDonald’s and other food franchises are betting on as they ramp up new beverage strategies.

    McDonald’s is launching six crafted beverages on May 6, including a dirty Dr. Pepper with vanilla and cold foam. It’s joining KFC, Taco Bell, Wendy’s and Burger King in a race to capture the $100 billion beverage category. The goal: lure customers away from Starbucks and Dutch Bros with drinks featuring popular offerings such as boba, dragon fruit and foam toppings.

    McDonald’s is adding “beverage specialist” roles at 14,000 U.S. locations, with dedicated counter spaces focused exclusively on crafted drinks. KFC’s Kwench menu is rolling out to 3,000 stores. Taco Bell launched Live Mas Café with “Bellristas” making churro milkshakes. McDonald’s tried this with CosMc’s, but closed eight stores last spring because drinks were too complex.

    Would you like a boba with that Big Mac? That’s what McDonald’s and other food franchises are betting on as they ramp up new beverage strategies.

    McDonald’s is launching six crafted beverages on May 6, including a dirty Dr. Pepper with vanilla and cold foam. It’s joining KFC, Taco Bell, Wendy’s and Burger King in a race to capture the $100 billion beverage category. The goal: lure customers away from Starbucks and Dutch Bros with drinks featuring popular offerings such as boba, dragon fruit and foam toppings.

    McDonald’s is adding “beverage specialist” roles at 14,000 U.S. locations, with dedicated counter spaces focused exclusively on crafted drinks. KFC’s Kwench menu is rolling out to 3,000 stores. Taco Bell launched Live Mas Café with “Bellristas” making churro milkshakes. McDonald’s tried this with CosMc’s, but closed eight stores last spring because drinks were too complex.

    Jonathan Small is a bestselling author, journalist, producer, and podcast host. For 25 years, he… Read more

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