**Fast-Food Chains Say Goodbye to the Penny as US Phases Out One-Cent Coins**
Fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Wendy’s are making subtle pricing adjustments as the United States phases out the penny. Due to a nationwide shortage of one-cent coins, retailers are rounding bills up or down when customers do not have exact change.
A McDonald’s representative told *Business Insider* that some locations across the country are experiencing a penny shortage. As a result, restaurants may round cash transactions to the nearest five cents if exact change is unavailable.
“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,” McDonald’s said in a statement.
Wendy’s, meanwhile, told *Business Insider* that until the government establishes an industry standard, it has recommended its franchisees round down cash transactions to the nearest nickel. However, the company noted that since franchisees set their own prices, rounding practices may vary by restaurant.
Go To Foods, the parent company of Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, and Jamba, echoed Wendy’s position. “At this time, when pennies aren’t available, we’re recommending that franchisees round cash transactions in the guest’s favor,” Go To Foods said. “This ensures trust and consistency while minimizing disruption.”
The three companies confirmed that pricing for cashless transactions will remain unaffected by these changes.
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**Background: The End of the Penny**
In February, President Donald Trump announced that the US Treasury would stop minting new pennies starting in 2026, citing the high production cost of the coin. Each one-cent coin costs three cents to produce, according to the US Mint’s 2024 report, which also noted that production costs increased by over 20% that year.
A Treasury spokesperson previously told *Business Insider* that coin production will continue only until existing blanks run out, after which the penny will gradually fall out of circulation. Phasing out the penny is expected to save the US Mint $56 million annually in materials costs.
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**Calls for Clear Government Guidance**
Dylan Jeon, senior director of government relations at the National Retail Federation, emphasized the need for official guidelines. In a statement dated October 29, Jeon said, “Without preemptive federal guidance, retailers and other cash-accepting businesses are exposed to legal risks simply for implementing necessary practices in response to the nationwide penny shortage.”
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**International Context**
The US is not alone in moving away from one-cent coins. Countries such as Canada and Sweden have already stopped producing their penny equivalents. The push to eliminate the coin has garnered bipartisan support among American politicians, signaling a broader shift toward rounding cash transactions and adopting more efficient currency systems.
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As the penny phases out, consumers and businesses alike are adapting to a future where the smallest unit of currency no longer dictates pricing — streamlining transactions and potentially saving millions in production costs along the way.
https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-food-mcdonalds-wendys-change-prices-penny-production-rounding-stopped-2025-11
