McDonald’s has launched a new brand called CosMc’s, which focuses on retro-themed drinks. The first branch of CosMc’s has attracted long queues of customers eager to try the new offerings. The brand aims to tap into the market for specialty coffees and drinks, which has been dominated by Starbucks. The menu includes breakfast sandwiches, desserts, and snacks, but the main focus is on a wide variety of drinks with unique flavors and colorful presentations. Customers can customize their drinks with syrups, flavors, and trendy tapioca pearls called boba.
The CosMc’s brand is named after a cheeseburger-obsessed orange alien mascot that was featured in McDonald’s advertising in the 1980s. The yellow-and-purple design of the brand is meant to evoke nostalgia. However, the real appeal lies in the extensive list of drinks that are designed to be visually appealing and shareable on social media platforms like Instagram. The brand is currently only available through drive-through service, and during the initial launch, customers had to wait for over an hour to place their orders.
McDonald’s has recognized the potential of the beverage market and aims to improve its offerings in this area. The company has historically focused more on burgers and fries, and its McCafe brand did not gain much traction in the US market. By introducing CosMc’s, McDonald’s hopes to attract customers who are looking for unique and customizable drinks. The brand’s retro theme has also been successful in attracting customers who are drawn to the nostalgia of the 1980s.
While some marketing experts question the need for a separate brand to sell coffee and customized drinks, McDonald’s sees the potential for higher profit margins in this market. The prices of the drinks at CosMc’s are higher compared to traditional McDonald’s offerings. The brand’s standalone locations with drive-through service allow for faster turnaround times and a more efficient business model. Despite the long queues and initial popularity, it remains to be seen whether CosMc’s will have staying power in the competitive beverage market.
Overall, McDonald’s new brand CosMc’s has generated excitement among customers, with long queues forming outside the first branch. The brand’s focus on retro-themed drinks and customizable options has attracted customers who are looking for unique and visually appealing beverages. McDonald’s aims to improve its presence in the beverage market and compete with established brands like Starbucks. While the success of CosMc’s remains uncertain, the initial response from dedicated McDonald’s fans has been positive.
Original news source: CosMc’s: Customers flock to McDonald’s new retro drinks brand (BBC)
🎧 Listen:
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📖 Vocabulary:
| 1 | retro-themed | Relating to or inspired by styles or trends from the past |
| 2 | queues | Lines of people waiting for their turn |
| 3 | offerings | Products or services that are made available to customers |
| 4 | dominated | Controlled or held by one company or group with a major influence |
| 5 | nostalgia | A sentimental longing for the past, typically for a period with happy personal associations |
| 6 | visually | In a way that can be seen or related to the sense of sight |
| 7 | customizable | Able to be modified or adapted according to personal preferences |
| 8 | mascot | A character used as a representative symbol, especially for advertising |
| 9 | traction | The extent to which a product, idea, or company gains popularity or acceptance |
| 10 | standalone | Operating independently or on its own |
| 11 | turnaround | The time it takes to complete a process or fulfill an order |
| 12 | margins | The difference between the cost of producing something and the price at which it is sold |
| 13 | competitive | Involving competition and rivalry among businesses |
| 14 | excitement | A feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness |
| 15 | dedicated | Committed or devoted to a task or purpose |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Each pair will be given a few minutes to read the article. After that, one student will summarize the main points of the article to their partner. Encourage them to use their own words and focus on the most important information. After both partners have had a chance to share, bring the class back together and ask a few students to share their summaries with the whole class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will discuss and come up with their opinions on the following questions:
1. Do you think McDonald’s made a smart move by launching the CosMc’s brand?
2. Do you think the focus on retro-themed drinks will attract customers?
3. Would you be willing to pay more for a customizable drink at CosMc’s compared to traditional McDonald’s offerings?
After the groups have discussed, ask a representative from each group to share their opinions with the whole class.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Give each student a piece of paper and a pen. Instruct them to choose one element from the article (e.g. the CosMc’s logo, a retro-themed drink, the long queues) and sketch it on their paper. After a few minutes, have the students share their sketches with a partner and explain what they drew. Encourage them to use descriptive language to explain their sketches.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board (e.g. retro-themed, customizable, traction, profit margins). Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and choose a word from the list. Without using any words, they must draw a picture to represent the word and their team members must guess what the word is. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Instruct the students to think about the future of the CosMc’s brand. Will it become a popular and successful chain, or will it struggle to compete with other brands? Give the students a few minutes to write down their predictions. Afterward, ask a few students to share their predictions with the class and encourage a discussion on the reasons behind their predictions.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the main focus of McDonald’s new brand, CosMc’s?
2. Why did McDonald’s choose a retro theme for the CosMc’s brand?
3. How can customers customize their drinks at CosMc’s?
4. What is the potential benefit for McDonald’s in entering the beverage market?
5. Why did McDonald’s introduce a separate brand for coffee and customized drinks?
6. How do the prices at CosMc’s compare to traditional McDonald’s offerings?
7. What is the advantage of CosMc’s standalone locations with drive-through service?
8. What is the initial response from dedicated McDonald’s fans to the launch of CosMc’s?
Go to answers ⇩
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
McDonald’s has launched a new brand called CosMc’s, which focuses on retro-themed drinks. The first branch of CosMc’s has attracted long queues of customers eager to try the new offerings. The brand aims to tap into the market for specialty coffees and drinks, which has been dominated by Starbucks. The menu includes breakfast sandwiches, desserts, and (1)______, but the main focus is on a wide (2)______ of drinks with unique flavors and colorful presentations. Customers can customize their drinks with (3)______, flavors, and trendy tapioca pearls called boba.
The CosMc’s brand is named after a cheeseburger-obsessed orange alien mascot that was (4)______ in McDonald’s advertising in the 1980s. The yellow-and-purple design of the brand is meant to evoke nostalgia. However, the real appeal lies in the (5)______ list of drinks that are designed to be visually appealing and (6)______ on social media (7)______ like Instagram. The brand is currently only available through drive-through service, and during the initial launch, customers had to wait for over an hour to place their orders.
McDonald’s has recognized the potential of the beverage market and aims to improve its offerings in this area. The company has historically (8)______ more on burgers and fries, and its McCafe brand did not gain much traction in the US market. By introducing CosMc’s, McDonald’s hopes to attract customers who are looking for unique and customizable drinks. The brand’s retro theme has also been successful in attracting customers who are drawn to the nostalgia of the 1980s.
While some marketing experts (9)______ the need for a separate brand to sell coffee and customized drinks, McDonald’s sees the (10)______ for higher profit (11)______ in this market. The (12)______ of the drinks at CosMc’s are higher compared to traditional McDonald’s offerings. The brand’s standalone locations with drive-through service allow for faster turnaround times and a more efficient business model. Despite the long queues and initial popularity, it (13)______ to be seen whether CosMc’s will have staying power in the (14)______ beverage market.
Overall, McDonald’s new brand CosMc’s has generated excitement among (15)______, with long queues forming outside the first branch. The brand’s focus on retro-themed drinks and customizable options has attracted customers who are looking for unique and visually appealing beverages. McDonald’s aims to improve its presence in the beverage market and compete with established brands like (16)______. While the success of CosMc’s remains uncertain, the initial response from dedicated McDonald’s fans has been positive.
Go to answers ⇩
💬 Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What do you think about McDonald’s launching a new brand focused on retro-themed drinks?
2. How would you feel if you had to wait over an hour to place your order at a restaurant?
3. Do you like the idea of being able to customize your drinks with different flavors and syrups? Why or why not?
4. What is a specialty coffee? Have you ever tried one?
5. How do you think McDonald’s can improve its presence in the beverage market?
6. Do you think the CosMc’s brand will be successful in the long term? Why or why not?
7. Have you ever been drawn to a product or brand because of its nostalgia factor? If so, what was it?
8. How do you feel about the trend of sharing food and drinks on social media platforms like Instagram?
9. What is your favorite beverage to order at a restaurant? Why do you like it?
10. How do you think McDonald’s can compete with established brands like Starbucks in the beverage market?
11. Do you think it’s necessary for companies to have separate brands for different types of products? Why or why not?
12. Have you ever waited in a long queue for a new product or restaurant? How was the experience?
13. What do you think about the prices of the drinks at CosMc’s being higher compared to traditional McDonald’s offerings?
14. How important is it for a brand to have a visually appealing product in today’s market?
15. Have you ever been excited about a new product or brand launch? If so, what was it and why were you excited?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. retro-themed
2. queues
3. offerings
4. dominated
5. nostalgia
6. visually
7. customizable
8. mascot
9. traction
10. standalone
11. turnaround
12. margins
13. competitive
14. excitement
15. dedicated
Meanings:
(A) A character used as a representative symbol, especially for advertising
(B) A feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness
(C) The time it takes to complete a process or fulfill an order
(D) Controlled or held by one company or group with a major influence
(E) Committed or devoted to a task or purpose
(F) Able to be modified or adapted according to personal preferences
(G) The extent to which a product, idea, or company gains popularity or acceptance
(H) The difference between the cost of producing something and the price at which it is sold
(I) Lines of people waiting for their turn
(J) A sentimental longing for the past, typically for a period with happy personal associations
(K) In a way that can be seen or related to the sense of sight
(L) Involving competition and rivalry among businesses
(M) Relating to or inspired by styles or trends from the past
(N) Products or services that are made available to customers
(O) Operating independently or on its own
Go to answers ⇩
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is the main focus of McDonald’s new brand CosMc’s?
(a) Burgers and fries
(b) Drinks with unique flavors and colorful presentations
(c) Breakfast sandwiches and desserts
(d) Snacks and syrups
2. What is the inspiration behind the design of the CosMc’s brand?
(a) Modern trends in design
(b) McDonald’s advertising in the 1990s
(c) Nostalgia for the 1980s
(d) The success of Starbucks
3. How are customers able to customize their drinks at CosMc’s?
(a) With syrups, flavors, and tapioca pearls
(b) With different sizes and temperatures
(c) By choosing from a set menu of options
(d) By adding toppings and garnishes
4. Why did McDonald’s introduce the CosMc’s brand?
(a) To tap into the specialty coffee and drink market
(b) To compete with Starbucks in the burger market
(c) To attract customers with unique and customizable burgers
(d) To improve its presence in the US market
5. What is one advantage of CosMc’s standalone locations with drive-through service?
(a) More efficient business model
(b) Lower prices compared to traditional McDonald’s offerings
(c) More customizable options
(d) Faster turnaround times
6. What do some marketing experts question about the CosMc’s brand?
(a) The potential for higher profit margins in the beverage market
(b) The success of the brand’s retro theme
(c) The popularity of McDonald’s fans
(d) The need for a separate brand to sell coffee and customized drinks
7. How have customers responded to the launch of CosMc’s?
(a) With skepticism and criticism of the brand’s retro theme
(b) With excitement and long queues forming outside the first branch
(c) With indifference and no noticeable increase in sales
(d) With disappointment and complaints about the prices
8. What is the overall goal of McDonald’s with the introduction of CosMc’s?
(a) To focus more on burgers and fries and less on drinks
(b) To attract customers who are looking for unique and customizable burgers
(c) To improve its presence in the beverage market and compete with Starbucks
(d) To increase its profit margins by offering higher-priced drinks
Go to answers ⇩
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. The first branch of CosMc’s has attracted short queues of customers eager to try the new offerings.
2. Customers at CosMc’s can customize their drinks with syrups, flavors, and trendy tapioca pearls called boba.
3. McDonald’s hopes to attract customers who are looking for unique and customizable drinks by introducing CosMc’s.
4. The prices of the drinks at CosMc’s are lower compared to traditional McDonald’s offerings.
5. McDonald’s has launched a new brand called CosMc’s that focuses on modern-themed drinks.
6. The brand is currently only available through walk-in service, and customers had to wait for less than an hour to place their orders during the initial launch.
7. The brand aims to tap into the market for specialty coffees and drinks, which has been dominated by Starbucks.
8. The menu at CosMc’s includes breakfast sandwiches, desserts, and snacks, with the main focus on a wide variety of drinks.
Go to answers ⇩
📝 Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. What is the main focus of McDonald’s new brand, CosMc’s?
2. Why did McDonald’s choose a retro theme for the CosMc’s brand?
3. How are customers able to customize their drinks at CosMc’s?
4. Why did McDonald’s decide to create a separate brand for coffee and customized drinks?
5. What is the initial response to the launch of CosMc’s?
✅ Answers
🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What is the main focus of McDonald’s new brand, CosMc’s?
The main focus of McDonald’s new brand, CosMc’s, is on retro-themed drinks.
2. Why did McDonald’s choose a retro theme for the CosMc’s brand?
McDonald’s chose a retro theme for the CosMc’s brand to evoke nostalgia and attract customers who are drawn to the nostalgia of the 1980s.
3. How can customers customize their drinks at CosMc’s?
Customers can customize their drinks at CosMc’s with syrups, flavors, and trendy tapioca pearls called boba.
4. What is the potential benefit for McDonald’s in entering the beverage market?
The potential benefit for McDonald’s in entering the beverage market is higher profit margins compared to traditional McDonald’s offerings.
5. Why did McDonald’s introduce a separate brand for coffee and customized drinks?
McDonald’s introduced a separate brand for coffee and customized drinks to tap into the market for specialty coffees and drinks, which has been dominated by Starbucks.
6. How do the prices at CosMc’s compare to traditional McDonald’s offerings?
The prices at CosMc’s are higher compared to traditional McDonald’s offerings.
7. What is the advantage of CosMc’s standalone locations with drive-through service?
The advantage of CosMc’s standalone locations with drive-through service is faster turnaround times and a more efficient business model.
8. What is the initial response from dedicated McDonald’s fans to the launch of CosMc’s?
The initial response from dedicated McDonald’s fans to the launch of CosMc’s has been positive, with long queues forming outside the first branch.
Go back to questions ⇧
🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) snacks
(2) variety
(3) syrups
(4) featured
(5) extensive
(6) shareable
(7) platforms
(8) focused
(9) question
(10) potential
(11) margins
(12) prices
(13) remains
(14) competitive
(15) customers
(16) Starbucks
Go back to questions ⇧
📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. retro-themed
Answer: (M) Relating to or inspired by styles or trends from the past
2. queues
Answer: (I) Lines of people waiting for their turn
3. offerings
Answer: (N) Products or services that are made available to customers
4. dominated
Answer: (D) Controlled or held by one company or group with a major influence
5. nostalgia
Answer: (J) A sentimental longing for the past, typically for a period with happy personal associations
6. visually
Answer: (K) In a way that can be seen or related to the sense of sight
7. customizable
Answer: (F) Able to be modified or adapted according to personal preferences
8. mascot
Answer: (A) A character used as a representative symbol, especially for advertising
9. traction
Answer: (G) The extent to which a product, idea, or company gains popularity or acceptance
10. standalone
Answer: (O) Operating independently or on its own
11. turnaround
Answer: (C) The time it takes to complete a process or fulfill an order
12. margins
Answer: (H) The difference between the cost of producing something and the price at which it is sold
13. competitive
Answer: (L) Involving competition and rivalry among businesses
14. excitement
Answer: (B) A feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness
15. dedicated
Answer: (E) Committed or devoted to a task or purpose
Go back to questions ⇧
🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What is the main focus of McDonald’s new brand CosMc’s?
Answer: (b) Drinks with unique flavors and colorful presentations
2. What is the inspiration behind the design of the CosMc’s brand?
Answer: (c) Nostalgia for the 1980s
3. How are customers able to customize their drinks at CosMc’s?
Answer: (a) With syrups, flavors, and tapioca pearls
4. Why did McDonald’s introduce the CosMc’s brand?
Answer: (a) To tap into the specialty coffee and drink market
5. What is one advantage of CosMc’s standalone locations with drive-through service?
Answer: (d) Faster turnaround times
6. What do some marketing experts question about the CosMc’s brand?
Answer: (d) The need for a separate brand to sell coffee and customized drinks
7. How have customers responded to the launch of CosMc’s?
Answer: (b) With excitement and long queues forming outside the first branch
8. What is the overall goal of McDonald’s with the introduction of CosMc’s?
Answer: (c) To improve its presence in the beverage market and compete with Starbucks
Go back to questions ⇧
🕵️✅ True or False Answers:
1. The first branch of CosMc’s has attracted short queues of customers eager to try the new offerings. (Answer: False)
2. Customers at CosMc’s can customize their drinks with syrups, flavors, and trendy tapioca pearls called boba. (Answer: True)
3. McDonald’s hopes to attract customers who are looking for unique and customizable drinks by introducing CosMc’s. (Answer: True)
4. The prices of the drinks at CosMc’s are lower compared to traditional McDonald’s offerings. (Answer: False)
5. McDonald’s has launched a new brand called CosMc’s that focuses on modern-themed drinks. (Answer: False)
6. The brand is currently only available through walk-in service, and customers had to wait for less than an hour to place their orders during the initial launch. (Answer: False)
7. The brand aims to tap into the market for specialty coffees and drinks, which has been dominated by Starbucks. (Answer: True)
8. The menu at CosMc’s includes breakfast sandwiches, desserts, and snacks, with the main focus on a wide variety of drinks. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
