McDonald's new CosMc store set to open this week

McDonald's has announced it will launch its much-anticipated CosMc store this week - as experts speculate the fast-food chain is targeting the 'TikTok' generation.

The spin-off brand - which is named after McDonald's alien mascot from the 1980s and early 1990s - appears to be emulating Starbucks with a range of colorful slushes, iced teas and coffees. The beverages on offer include: the Sour Cherry Energy Burst, Berry Hibiscus Sour-Ade, S'Mores Cold Brew and Turmeric Spiced Latte. 

During an investor day Wednesday, the chain confirmed the first CosMc in Bolingbrook, Illinois, will open later this week. A further nine are set to launch by the end of 2024, with one located in Dallas-Fort Worth and another in San Antonio. 

McDonald's is currently plotting its fastest period of growth in its more than 60-year history, with 10,000 new restaurants planned globally by 2027. 

Speculation has been rife over its new CosMc venture since it was first mentioned by CEO Chris Kempczinski during an earnings call earlier this year.

Some old McDonald's favorites also made the menu including its popular McMuffins. Its food menu also includes a spicy queso sandwich, creamy avocado tomatillo sandwich, pretzel bites and blueberry lemon cookies. It is not clear how much the products will cost.

Retail expert Neil Saunders, from the consulting firm GlobalData, told DailyMail.com that the latest venture appeared to be aimed at a younger demographic.

'McDonald's is certainly targeting the TikTok generation. The marketing is all very social media friendly - it's very wacky and colorful. And it's very different to the traditional old McDonald's brand' he said.

He added that the menu appeared to be inspired by Starbucks which has seen its revenue soar to $35.9 billion thanks to its popularity among young coffee drinkers. Starbucks' seasonal drinks regularly go viral on TikTok. 

Saunders said: 'Starbucks is definitely one of the chains it is taking aim at. The CosMc offers a bigger opportunity for McDonald's in that beverage and snacking-on-the-go market.'

McDonald's is famed for experimenting with products, often for a limited time. For example, last year it brought back its popular 'McRib' sandwich.

It comes after a period of strong growth for the company which saw same-store sales rise by nearly 9 percent worldwide in the third financial quarter of 2023. 

It mirrors the mass expansion of Starbucks which last month announced it expected to have 55,000 stores around the world by 2030, up from 38,000 today.

McDonald's made a host of other sweeping announcements on Wednesday, including a partnership with Google Cloud intended to improve its automated services.

It also has ambitions to have 250 million active loyalty program users by 2027, up from 150 million today. 

Meanwhile its McCrispy chicken sandwich is set to land in nearly all of the chain's markets by the end of 2025. 

McDonald's saw its earnings shoot up by almost 17 percent to $2.32 billion in the third financial quarter of 2023. 

Executives said profits were bolstered by 'strategic menu price increases.' 

CEO Chris Kempczinski said during a post-earnings call:  'Consumers continue to be more discriminating about what and where they spend...[but] we're seeing really no change at all in terms of customer acceptance... on pricing.'

The cost of a Big Mac has shot up 125% since 1996 and is currently $3.91, according to CashNetUSA.