McDonald's adds Red Bull Dragonberry Energy Drink to U.S. Menu Nationwide

McDonald's will begin selling a Red Bull-based Dragonberry Energizer in U.S. locations nationwide from Aug. 17, marking its entry into the energy-drink market.

Starting Aug. 17, McDonald’s will roll out the Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer across participating U.S. restaurants, a new energy-drink that blends Red Bull with blue-raspberry syrup and freeze-dried dragonfruit; shoppers can also choose a reduced-sugar Red Bull Zero version or purchase an 8.4-ounce Red Bull can separately. The product launch follows a second-quarter period in which U.S. comparable sales grew just 0.8%, missing the 1.06% rise analysts had forecast and lagging behind the 2.5% growth recorded a year earlier.

CEO Chris Kempczinski attributed the shortfall to execution issues such as uneven promotion of value items and weaker digital deal usage, while CFO Ian Borden said the chain will lean more on national digital offers and personalized promotions to “reenergize” high-frequency patrons. The energy drink addition builds on McDonald’s recent expansion of its drink lineup, including crafted sodas like Vanilla Swirl and various Refreshers, all of which contain caffeine.

Marketing chief Alyssa Buetikofer noted strong test-market response and said the company aims to meet customers’ craving for energy. The initiative is part of a broader effort to boost traffic to its U.S. restaurants.