Pennies Retired, Prices Rounded: What McDonald’s Change Means for Your Wallet

With the U.S. Treasury officially ending penny production earlier this year, Americans are beginning to feel the effects of a cash-based economy without one-cent coins. One of the most visible responses has come from McDonald’s, where select restaurants are now rounding cash transactions to the nearest five cents.

How McDonald’s Is Handling the Change

A spokesperson told ABC News that McDonald’s locations are rounding totals up or down to the nearest nickel when a customer pays in cash and doesn’t have exact change. This change affects cash payments only — debit cards, credit cards, and app-based orders remain unaffected.

The fast-food chain emphasized fairness and simplicity in its approach, noting that rounding ensures smooth transactions and minimizes cash drawer shortages. Franchisees, who set their own pricing, can decide how to apply the new policy locally.

A Broader Shift in U.S. Currency

The U.S. penny’s discontinuation reflects a long-standing debate: it has cost more than one cent to mint each penny for years. Other nations, including Canada and Australia, retired their lowest-denomination coins long ago and implemented similar rounding rules. While most consumers rely on digital payments — meaning few will notice an immediate impact — this move underscores the gradual shift toward a cashless economy. Those who prefer cash transactions should be aware that exact totals may no longer be possible, and rounding practices could vary by retailer.