In a move that shocked exactly no one, McDonald’s has decided to pull the plug on its short-lived CosMc’s beverage spinoff, proving once again that not every corporate experiment deserves to survive.

The intergalactic-themed drink hub, which launched with much fanfare in 2023, will be shutting down all five of its locations by the end of June. These stores, scattered across Texas and Illinois, were McDonald’s bold attempt to compete with trendy specialty beverage chains like Dutch Bros and Swig, because apparently, the golden arches wanted a piece of the Gen Z drink market.

The Rise and Fall of a Beverage Fantasy

CosMc’s was born from McDonald’s desire to create a customizable drink experience without overwhelming its core restaurant staff. The concept? A standalone spot where caffeine-craving millennials could get wild with their afternoon pick-me-up. Spoiler alert: it didn’t quite pan out.

Economic Realities Hit Hard

With McDonald’s experiencing consecutive sales declines and customers tightening their belts during economic uncertainty, the CosMc’s experiment became an easy target for budget cuts. The company’s leadership seems more interested in fixing their core business than maintaining a beverage-focused side hustle.

Not Quite a Total Loss

Despite the closure, all hope isn’t lost for CosMc’s fans. CEO Chris Kempczinski hinted that some menu items might make their way back into McDonald’s main lineup, potentially giving these quirky drinks a second life. Who said alien-themed beverages die completely?