McDonald’s Faces Change Shortage Amid U.S. Penny Phase-Out
So, here’s a bit of news that’s catching quite a few people off guard — the next time you grab a burger and fries at McDonald’s, you might not get the exact change back. And it’s not because of some mistake at the counter — it’s because the United States has officially run out of pennies.
Yes, that’s right. Since the federal government decided earlier this year to stop minting pennies, businesses across the country — including McDonald’s — have been scrambling to adjust. The Chicago-based fast-food giant confirmed that some of its restaurants may no longer be able to return exact change on cash transactions. Instead, they’ve started rounding the total up or down to the nearest five cents.
According to McDonald’s, this is just a temporary fix while they figure out a long-term solution that’s fair for everyone. A company statement explained that this issue is affecting all retailers nationwide and that they’re actively working with federal authorities to get clear guidance on how to move forward.
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Now, why did the U.S. government stop making pennies in the first place? It all comes down to cost. Believe it or not, it actually costs more to produce a penny than the coin is worth — about 3.7 cents per penny, to be exact. Even nickels are pricey, costing over 13 cents to make. So, in an effort to cut down on wasteful spending, the government decided to discontinue penny production earlier this year. President Donald Trump even framed it as a budget-saving move, saying it was time to “rip the waste out” — one penny at a time.
But this decision has had some ripple effects. With no new pennies entering circulation and Americans famously hoarding the ones they already have in jars and drawers, the shortage hit fast. Banks are rationing their remaining supplies, and stores like McDonald’s are adapting however they can.
To be clear, this change only affects customers who pay with cash. If you’re using a debit card, credit card, or the McDonald’s app, everything stays the same. But if you hand over bills, your total could be rounded slightly up or down depending on the cents.
McDonald’s isn’t alone in this — other major retailers are facing the same dilemma. Some convenience stores have even offered incentives, like free drinks, to customers who bring in pennies. Still, the lack of clear federal guidance has left many businesses unsure how to proceed.
It’s a strange adjustment for a country that’s used pennies for more than 200 years. And while most people won’t miss digging for spare change at the bottom of their purse, it’s still the end of an era — one Big Mac receipt at a time.
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