Your Guide to McDonalds Drink Sizes & Your Own Fast-Food Dream

McDonalds is not a brand, it is a cultural icon. Have you ever thought of why a large drink is not the same size in every country? Or why the legendary “Super-Size” disappeared? When you consider these questions, you may be picturing your own drink business. This article will make you know about the drink size strategy of McDonalds and provide you with important tips on how to make your dream come true.

The Story of the “Super-Size”

McDonalds came up with a drink size known as Super-Size in the 1990s in America. It gained popularity very soon. This was not just a large cup, but a marketing strategy that provided more to the customers. Individuals felt that they were getting a good bargain. But with increased awareness of health concerns, particularly following the documentary Super Size Me, the Super-Size option was condemned as unhealthy. McDonald’s officially dropped it in 2004. This tale demonstrates that even an effective marketing policy has to evolve with the times and with the beliefs of customers. This is the kind of insider knowledge you can learn from.

A Global Look at McDonald’s Drink Sizes

McDonald’s drink portion sizes are not the same everywhere. This is important for both customers and future restaurant owners to know. Different countries adjust sizes based on local culture, customer habits, and laws. For example, a Buzzfeed article recently highlighted the differences between the sizes in Hong Kong and Japan. Here is a simple table showing the different sizes for soda beverages in some countries:

Beyond Soda: Coffee and Frozen Treats

Besides soda, McDonald’s also has different cup sizes for coffee, smoothies, and milkshakes. These sizes are chosen to fit the specific needs of each drink.

• Coffee (McCafe): McDonald’s coffee usually has its own sizes, which are slightly different from soda sizes. For example, in the US, coffee cups are typically Small (12 oz / 355 ml), Medium (16 oz / 473 ml), and Large (21 oz / 621 ml). The coffee “Large” is actually smaller than the soda “Medium.” This difference might be because coffee is seen as a hot drink that needs to be presented in a specific way.
• Shakes & Smoothies: The cups for these frozen drinks are usually similar to coffee sizes, but the amounts may be slightly different. In the US, milkshakes come in Small (12 oz / 355 ml), Medium (16 oz / 473 ml), and Large (22 oz / 650 ml). When choosing sizes for these items, factors like customer experience, cost, and product density are important.
• Sundaes: Sundaes and ice cream products use smaller cups with different shapes than drink cups. This is because their value comes from their taste and toppings, not just their size. Sundaes often come in just one size.

Knowing these small size differences is crucial for a restaurant owner. You need to create a size system that meets customer needs and helps you make the most profit.

From Customer to Owner: Starting Your Drink Career

You may have been motivated to start your own drink brand after reading about these sizes. How do you get that dream to come true? You have to think beyond being a customer as a future business owner. You must think of all aspects of the business, including menu design and supplier management. Your disposable packaging is one of the most important things to consider.

The Importance of Cups & Containers

Disposable food containers and cups are not only food holders. They form part of your brand image and they are the face of your business whenever a customer deals with you. The quality and design of a cup can enhance the experience of the customer and make your brand more memorable. Moreover, the proper selection of the packaging will allow you to manage the costs, guarantee the safety of the food, and demonstrate your environmental responsibility.

Choosing the Right Sizes for Your Brand

It is a good idea to learn how to plan your career by studying McDonalds. You need to select a nice range of drink sizes in your menu to satisfy various customer demands. This makes you consider a number of things:

1. Your Target Customers: Do you have office workers as your customers who want value, or young people who want to post photos? In case your customers desire a luxury experience, you can have smaller and more design-oriented cups. In case you are primarily interested in providing high value, bigger cups may be a more appropriate option.
2. Pricing and Profit: The various sizes of cups are priced differently and sold at different prices. Similar to McDonalds, you can employ a size such as a Large to boost the average order value. It is also possible to make customers feel that they are getting a good deal by selling at a lower price per ounce. You must be able to estimate your expenses well so that you make a good profit.
3. Product Types and Sizes: Not all drinks require small, medium, and large sizes. You may design your sizes according to what you are selling.
   • Soda and Juice: These are mostly thirst quenching drinks and customers tend to order large quantities. A standard three size system is a good idea: Small (approximately 350ml), Medium (approximately 500ml), and Large (approximately 750ml).
   • Coffee and Tea: These beverages are more of the taste and therefore they should not be too large. Small (about 250ml) and Medium (about 350ml) are usually sufficient.
   • Smoothies, Shakes, and Desserts: These are usually treats, so a medium size is best. A typical and popular size is medium (approximately 400-500ml).

If your business also includes fast food, choosing the right container sizes is just as important.

• Burgers and Sandwiches: Use paper boxes or bags that fit the product well. This keeps the food warm and prevents it from getting crushed.
• Fries and Fried Chicken: These products need packaging that lets air in to keep them crispy. Fry containers can be different sizes, like Small (around 100g), Medium (around 150g), and Large (around 200g). Fried chicken can be put in different-sized boxes depending on the number of pieces.
• Salads and Bowl Foods: Use bowls with clear lids. This shows off the fresh food and makes it easy for customers to carry. You can offer Small (around 500ml) and Medium (around 750ml) sizes to fit different appetites.

A good size strategy will help you stand out from the competition and avoid the problems that the “Super-Size” option faced.

The Sustainable Choice with YOON

Today, being environmentally friendly is very important. Customers prefer brands that care about sustainability. Because of this, choosing eco-friendly packaging is not just a company’s duty; it is a way to build a strong brand. We want to introduce YOON.

YOON is a leading brand in sustainable paper cups and food containers. We help businesses around the world with high-quality, eco-friendly packaging. We have over 20 years of experience, a 16,000㎡ factory, and more than 100 pieces of equipment. Our products are made with food-grade, renewable paper that meets FSC standards. We also offer many eco-friendly coatings, like PLA, PE, and plastic-free.

By choosing YOON, you are not just buying packaging. You are making your brand eco-friendly and sustainable. We offer a full service, from free design help and 48-hour samples to delivery in 3-5 weeks. This ensures your brand looks great and your products are high quality. Partnering with YOON will help your restaurant attract customers who also care about the planet.

Building a Better Customer Experience

After all, the success of your restaurant lies in the provision of a wonderful experience to customers. Other than tasty food and fair prices, your packaging design is important. Using the high-precision printing technology of YOON, you can print the story of your brand, your unique designs, or an inspiring message on your cups. All the minor details are included in your brand and contribute to establishing a bond with customers. With well-thought-out packaging, your restaurant will not be a place to eat, but a brand that has a lifestyle and a system of values.

Conclusion

It is not enough to have a good menu to create a successful fast-food brand. It needs clever tactics, including selecting your product sizes and packaging. You can establish a good foundation of your business by learning the tricks of the trade through the industry leaders such as McDonalds.

Keep in mind that your decisions speak about your brand values. Collaborating with a brand such as YOON to meet your sustainable packaging requirements does not only benefit the environment but also enhances your brand image and attracts a new generation of environmentally conscious consumers. The journey between the dream of a customer and the successful owner of a restaurant is a long one, yet with the proper knowledge and the desire to be a quality and sustainable business owner, your dream can come true.