McDonald’s Is Saying Goodbye to Its Iconic McFlurry Spoon
Updated: Oct. 26, 2023
The hotly-debated McFlurry spoons will be phased out.
McDonald’s has been making changes. In 2023, the chain decided to phase out its self-serve soda fountains, remove McCafe Bakery items from the menu and upgrade its signature menu items. In other words, McD’s has been busy.
Clearly, McDonald’s has no issue saying out with the old, in with the new. (Hello, new McDonald’s sauces we love.) Now, the latest news: McDonald’s will be discontinuing its McFlurry spoons. Gasp!
This doesn’t mean we’ll be saying goodbye to the McFlurry. Instead, this utensil “is about to get a sustainable glow-up in the U.S.” Here’s what we know!
Why is McDonald’s scrapping the McFlurry spoon?
McDonald’s will sunset its iconic (yet highly contested) McFlurry spoons as part of sustainability efforts. This change will reduce single-use plastic waste “while giving customers the same delicious McFlurry they know and love,” McDonald’s says.
The spoon swap is part of an overall goal to redesign products and staples to eliminate waste. Sound like this makeover is good for the environment and will bring us a brand-new McFlurry spoon. Just one question: Will the upgraded spoon have a square handle?
What are the original McFlurry spoons like?
The original spoons have often been confused as straws because of their shape. Made in 1995, this controversial spoon has a square top, along with a hollow middle and hook. Its intent is to fit right onto the McDonald’s soft-serve ice cream machines used to mix a McFlurry.
People have long debated the spoon’s design and function. McDonald’s has even said “it’s hard to think of a utensil that’s been the focus of more intense debate over the years.”
How will we eat McFlurrys now?
The new design is a smaller black spoon that uses less plastic. It sounds like the same utensil as the sundae spoons. And in place of that square handle, ice cream machines will have a reusable spindle, which will be switched out and cleaned after making each McFlurry.
You won’t see the new McFlurry spoons right away. The original spoons will gradually be “phased out,” similar to what’s happening with McDonald’s soda machines.
In the meantime, while we welcome the sustainable change, we’ll be making our way to McDonald’s to pick up Boo Buckets. And of course, ensuring we stop by every Friday from now until the end of the year for free fries.
