McDonald’s restaurants across parts of the United States are adjusting how they manage cash transactions as the country faces a growing shortage of pennies. The change comes after the U.S. Treasury halted production of one-cent coins earlier this year, leading retailers nationwide to struggle with providing exact change.
Images circulating on social media this week showed a sign posted at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Illinois announcing the policy shift. The notice explained that the total cost of orders paid in cash may now be rounded up or down to the nearest five cents, depending on availability of coins. The practice has already begun at certain franchise locations in Illinois and could expand to more restaurants if the shortage persists.
In a statement shared with Nexstar, McDonald’s confirmed the measure was part of a broader response to a nationwide issue—not a store-level decision.
“Following the discontinuation of pennies nationwide, some McDonald’s locations may not be able to provide exact change,” the company said. “We have a team actively working on long-term solutions to keep things simple and fair for customers. This is an issue affecting all retailers across the country, and we will continue to work with the federal government to obtain guidance on this matter going forward.”
Customers paying via the McDonald’s app, credit cards, or debit cards will not be affected. However, those who prefer to pay in cash may be asked to consider digital or cashless payment options to help streamline transactions under the new policy.
McDonald’s is not the only major chain adapting to the shortage. Convenience store chains such as Love’s, Kwik Trip, and Sheetz have implemented similar rounding systems. Meanwhile, grocery chain Giant Eagle is offering incentives for customers who bring in coins to help replenish local supply.
Retail organizations say the change has created confusion for businesses and consumers. The National Association of Convenience Stores has urged federal agencies to issue clearer nationwide guidance to avoid inconsistencies between retailers and regions.
With pennies no longer in circulation and businesses adjusting on the fly, economists say consumers could see wider impacts in the months ahead. Some financial analysts note that rounding to the nearest five cents has long been practiced in other countries that discontinued their lowest-value coins, including Canada and Australia.
For now, customers paying with cash may notice slight changes in their totals but the fast-food chain says its goal is to ensure accuracy and fairness.
The situation remains fluid as retailers wait for additional instructions from the federal government and look for long-term payment system adjustments in response to the ongoing penny shortfall.