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McDonald's Owner John Hurt Unveils New Drink Lineup in Lithonia — Melanin News | Melanin
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McDonald's Owner John Hurt Unveils New Drink Lineup in LithoniaCulture

McDonald's Owner John Hurt Unveils New Drink Lineup in Lithonia

1w ago

The golden arches are fizzing up a new chapter. On May 25, 2026, McDonald's franchise owner John Hurt brought a high-energy community event to his location on Panola Road in Lithonia, Georgia, marking the unveiling of the Sprite Berry Blast and a suite of other new beverages. The scene was set with a DJ spinning tracks and children gathering around the beloved McDonald's character Grimace for photos, but the real buzz was around the drinks, with customers reportedly lining up for samples over traditional burgers and fries.

Employees were on hand to distribute tastes of the fresh offerings, which included the vibrant Sprite Berry Blast, a refreshing Strawberry Watermelon Refresher, a tropical Mango Pineapple Refresher, and a selection of crafted sodas. Hurt specifically highlighted the "Dirty Dr Pepper," describing it as "delicious. You've got the Dr Pepper soda, the vanilla syrup, and then the cold foam on top," suggesting a new kind of indulgence for fast-food patrons.

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Hurt, who has been a cornerstone of the Panola Road restaurant for nearly a decade, sees this beverage launch as a pivotal moment for the fast-food giant. He stated, "We're taking it big, taking it large" and extended an invitation for "everyone to come out and celebrate with us." For Hurt, these new drinks are more than just menu additions; they represent "a new chapter in the golden arches playbook" and signal "a more playful, trend-conscious direction for the brand," which he believes customers have been eagerly anticipating.

His vision stems from a desire for "something new" that would "really grabs the attention of our customers," confidently asserting, "this is it." He drew parallels to McDonald's historical successes, noting, "Think back to the Big Mac. When that came out, people went wild. Chicken McNuggets — same thing. This is another product that can take us to a new level." To ensure the success of this initiative, the restaurant has introduced dedicated beverage specialists, specifically trained for consistent and quick preparation, a move Hurt believes takes service "to another level." He also reaffirmed McDonald's long-standing commitment to efficiency, stating, "We serve at a fast pace, a fast speed of service that you don't get in other restaurants."

John Hurt's journey with McDonald's is a testament to dedication and growth, beginning in the 1970s with a part-time job in Milledgeville, Georgia, while he attended college. His academic pursuits led him to a master's degree in business management from Georgia College in 1979, followed by graduation from McDonald's Hamburger University in 1981. He officially became a McDonald's owner in 1995, initially operating a restaurant in Selma, Alabama, which required weekend commutes to his family in Atlanta.

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McDonald's in Russia Source

Since his full-time return to Atlanta in 1999, Hurt has significantly expanded his entrepreneurial footprint, now owning and operating 11 McDonald's restaurants across the Atlanta metropolitan area, including locations in Jonesboro, Riverdale, Lithonia, and other communities within Dekalb, Gwinnett, and Clayton counties. These establishments collectively serve an impressive 3.6 million customers annually and provide employment for 445 individuals. Beyond his franchise operations, Hurt serves as the president of the Atlanta Region Black McDonald's Operator Association and is deeply involved in community initiatives, supporting the Wheels of Dreams Foundation, which focuses on youth entrepreneurship, and organizing programs like McTeachers Night. His contributions were recognized with the 2004 McDonald's Ray Kroc award for Outstanding Contributor, People & Sales Excellence. Married to Shiroleen, he is a father of three—Ashley, Courtney, and Jonathan—and a grandfather to D.J. and Markell. His entrepreneurial spirit also extends to the hospitality sector, where he owns an 80-room Springhill Suites Marriott in Lithia Springs, Georgia, and a 60-room Sleep Inn & Suites in Hiram, Georgia. He has also chaired the Phoenix Pass Foundation for Homeless Women and served two terms as President and is a current Executive Board Member of the Greater Atlanta McDonald's Operators Association. In June 2019, Hurt delivered remarks at the 13th Annual McDonald's Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour concert in Atlanta, an event aligned with McDonald's "Black & Positively Golden" campaign, which celebrates Black excellence.

The introduction of the Sprite Berry Blast and other specialty drinks by McDonald's reflects a broader strategic pivot within the fast-food industry, where beverages have emerged as a significant battleground for competition. McDonald's has been actively exploring new drink concepts, reportedly testing various flavors in 500 locations across Wisconsin, Colorado, and surrounding areas before initiating a wider rollout. The Sprite Berry Blast itself has a history, having previously been featured on the menu of CosMc's, McDonald's' now-defunct soda chain that aimed at a younger demographic.

Reports in March 2026 indicated that McDonald's was reintroducing some of CosMc's offerings into its regular menu, specifically under the McCafé brand. Jill McDonald, global chief restaurant experience officer at McDonald's, confirmed that insights gleaned from the CosMc's test were directly applied to the development of the new beverage range. This range, set to launch in the U.S. and select international markets in 2026, is designed to focus on energy drinks, indulgent iced coffees, fruity refreshers, and crafted sodas. She previously highlighted that beverages represent a substantial $100 billion global opportunity for the company. Alyssa Buetikofer, McDonald's USA chief marketing and customer experience officer, articulated the company's understanding of its customer base, stating, "Our fans have an obsession with beverages – to them, drinks are more than just drinks," adding that the company has "taken the time to get this right."

The nationwide rollout of six new specialty drinks, which includes three refreshers and three crafted sodas, was scheduled to commence on May 6, 2026. The Sprite Berry Blast is specifically formulated with Sprite, blue raspberry syrup, and cold foam, promising a unique flavor profile. Other new additions include the Strawberry Watermelon Refresher, Mango Pineapple Refresher, Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher, Orange Dream, and the aforementioned Dirty Dr Pepper.

The positive customer response observed by Hurt at the Lithonia event, where he noted, "Customers are responding positively. It's something different. It's a great taste, a great fizz. We just want people to know there's something new at McDonald's," underscores the potential impact of this strategic shift. This focus on innovative beverages by McDonald's, championed by dedicated franchise owners like John Hurt, signifies a fresh approach to engaging customers and capturing a larger share of the evolving fast-food landscape, positioning drinks as a key driver of future growth and customer loyalty.