# Recession Refreshments $1 Fountain Drinks This Summer at McDonald's By Christina Butty | Published 2009-05-25 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recession-refreshments-1-fountain-drinks-this-summer-at-mcdonalds References: [mcdonalds](http://www.mcdonalds.ca/) For summer 2009, participating [McDonald's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/under-4-mcvalue-menu) restaurants in Canada are continuing to give consumers a deal by offering any size soft drinks for [$1, for the entire season](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-mcvalue). This awesome deal comes on the heels of their [free coffee promotion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/krispy-kreme-and-mcdonalds), which just ended. It is common knowledge that companies who look after their customers during a recession see sales soar subsequently. No wonder McDonald's continues to be a leader in their field. **Implications** - I'm still holding out on McDonald's to bring back the $1 Big Macs though. I would willingly visit the fast food chain restaurant daily if they could nourish consumers with actual food rather than only sodas. Oh who am I kidding? $1 pop drinks? I'm totally there! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.2/10 - Popularity: 92% | Activity: 86% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Discounted Beverages:** Opportunity for other fast food chains and restaurants to offer discounted beverages to attract customers during a recession. - **Customer Loyalty During Recession:** Companies that prioritize customer satisfaction during a recession have the potential to increase sales and maintain customer loyalty. - **Value-driven Promotions:** Marketing strategies that emphasize value-driven promotions like $1 deals can attract price-conscious consumers. ### Where This Applies - **Fast Food Chains:** Fast food chains can adopt similar discounted beverage offers to entice customers amid economic uncertainty. - **Restaurant Industry:** Restaurants can utilize discounted beverage promotions to attract diners and boost sales during a downturn. - **Beverage Industry:** The beverage industry can explore partnerships with fast food chains and restaurants to tap into the demand for value-driven promotions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Competitive Cost-Conscious QSR Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/under-4-mcvalue-menu.md) - [QSR Value Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/national-value-deal.md) - [Low-Cost QSR Value Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcpicks-value-menu.md) - [One-Cent Soda Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wendys-penny-pops.md) - [Fizzy Iced Strawberry Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frozen-fanta-strawberry.md) - [Syllabus-Themed QSR Meal Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-food-deals.md) - [App-Only QSR Meal Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crispy-chicken-sandwich-meal.md) - [Summer Iced Drink Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/small-frosty.md) - [Revived Discount QSR Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-extra-value-meals.md)