McDonald's to shut down three CosMc's branches while launching two new ones.

• McDonald's is planning to close three CosMc's locations and open two new restaurants in Texas.
• The decision was made to test in smaller locations due to the company's statement that these settings are more effective.
• McDonald's launched CosMc's as its initial offering in the expanding market for afternoon beverage refreshments.

will shutter three locations of its drinks-focused spinoff brand, CosMc's.

McDonald's opened its first CosMc's location in Bolingbrook, Illinois over a year ago, followed by six more in Texas. The company has also converted larger namesake restaurants into CosMc's and built smaller prototype locations.

McDonald's will close three of its larger format CosMc's locations and open two more small Texas restaurants, as the company said on Thursday. The locations for both the openings and closures have not been disclosed, although CosMc's website states that a store is coming soon to Allen, Texas.

On Thursday, McDonald's disclosed other early learnings from the pilot, revealing that savory hash browns are the top-selling food at any time of day, followed by McPops, the chain's mini filled doughnuts. The best-selling drinks are the Island Pick Me Up Punch, Churro Cold Brew Frappe, and the Sour Energy Burst.

According to the company, the CosMc's test will continue indefinitely.

McDonald's launched CosMc's as its initial offering in the expanding market for afternoon beverage refreshments.

McDonald's menu includes classic items as well as new options that play off current beverage and snacking trends, such as iced turmeric spiced lattes, tropical spiceade, and pretzel bites. Similarly, Kung Fu Tea has been successful with younger consumers by offering customizable cold drinks.

The new brand's name is inspired by CosMc, a McDonaldland character who appeared in ads in the late 1980s and early 1990s. CosMc is an extraterrestrial who loves McDonald's cuisine.

McDonald's plans to expand CosMc's, but it remains a small part of its overall U.S. presence, with over 13,500 restaurants. The company aims to gather more information about its CosMc's customers by introducing a loyalty program tailored to them last year.