McDonald's makes major change to prices amid penny shortage

America’s smallest coin is on its way out, and it’s leaving a surprising ripple effect at one of the biggest names in fast food.

The humble penny, that shiny copper piece that’s been part of US pockets for more than a century, is being phased out after the Treasury halted its production earlier this year.

And while many people have already gone cashless, this shift is creating new challenges for businesses that still deal heavily in coins and bills.

Now, McDonald’s has confirmed it’s taking steps to keep things running smoothly for customers who prefer to still pay in cash. The Chicago-based chain recently told ABC News that some of its US locations are introducing a small but significant change at the register.

McDonald’s adjusts cash payments as the US phases out the penny (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

A representative for McDonald’s USA confirmed that some restaurants have started to round cash transactions up or down to the nearest five cents if a customer doesn’t have exact change. The company said in its statement: “Following the discontinuation of pennies nationwide, some McDonald’s locations may not be able to provide exact change. We have a team actively working on long-term solutions to keep things simple and fair for customers.”

The new system applies only to cash payments. This means that card transactions, mobile orders, and app purchases won’t be affected. For the millions who already tap or swipe their way through a Big Mac and fries, it’s business as usual.

However, for anyone still handing over physical cash, they may start to notice their totals being ever so slightly rounded up or down, depending on the amount owed.

McDonald’s added: “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.”

The change comes as the U.S. Mint faces growing pressure over the cost of producing the penny, which has climbed well above its value. In recent years, the Treasury estimated that it costs more than twice as much to make a single penny it's actual worth.

The financial losses have mounted into tens of millions annually, sparking bipartisan calls to scrap the coin altogether.

After President Donald Trump expressed interest in ending penny production, the Treasury placed its final order of penny blanks, with the last of them expected to be minted by early 2026. Until then, retailers across the country are being left to figure out how to adapt.

Other countries that have phased out their smallest coins have already adopted similar rounding systems, with few issues reported.

For a massive fast food company like McDonald’s, it’s all about keeping queues moving and transactions simple, even as the smallest piece of U.S. change disappears for good.