Some government officials believe that aliens — or “nonhuman biologics” — are real, but of course, McDonald’s knew that already.
On July 27, McDonald’s first revealed it would be launching a spinoff restaurant chain based on a beloved mascot from the ’80s and ’90s. First shared by McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski in a Q2 conference call, the chain will revolve around CosMc, a multi-handed alien from outer space who, like you or me, loves McDonald’s fries.
According to the company, McDonald’s New Business Ventures team is developing the new concept, called “CosMc’s,” which will be tested in a small handful of sites in a “limited geography” starting in early 2024.
Then, on Dec. 5, NBC News correspondent Maggie Vespa reported from the exterior of a mysterious fast-food building, complete with hidden signs and menu boards in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
Reported to be the first CosMc’s location, online sleuths have been going to extreme lengths to figure out what the new restaurant concept entails. Amateur paparazzi have taken photos of the building, signs and even the rumored menu, theorizing that the new spot may be beverage-focused.
McDonald’s has not yet confirmed anything about CosMc’s, including when it’s set to open or what’s on the menu. Buy the chain plans to announce information about development plans at its Investor Day scheduled for Dec. 6, so we could know more soon.
For those unfamiliar with CosMc, according to the McDonald’s Wiki, he was featured in a series of McDonald’s commercials and print ads from 1986 to 1992.
In one 1987 commercial, CosMc lands in McDonaldland, only to be discovered by Ronald McDonald, Grimace and the Professor (another character that has since faded into obscurity). The ragtag group’s initial interaction with the character introduces the alien as one who likes to trade, though without permission at first, so it’s less interplanetary commerce and more robbery with a parting gift.
After some hijinks, CosMc and the crew enjoy a meal together, where the alien calls McDonald’s grub “deliciously awesome,” the alien turtle-shells back into his space suit — which also functions as his spaceship — and zooms away.
According to McDonald’s, CosMc’s will be a “small format” restaurant concept “with all the DNA of McDonald’s but its own unique personality.”
News of CosMc being plucked from McDonald’s past comes after the extremely successful revival of Grimace. Earlier this summer, the big purple blob had his super viral moment in the sun with the release of the Grimace Shake, which led to a darkly humorous TikTok trend with nearly 4 billion views to date.
“This quarter, if I’m being honest, the theme was Grimace,” Kempczinski said on the call.
Q1, McDonald’s hopes, will be out of this world.
