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What we know about CosMc's, McDonald's nostalgic spin-off coming to some cities in 2024

McDonald's nostalgia-heavy restaurant spinoff has got fast food fans waiting anxiously for an official debut date.

Announced by McDonald's CEO and president Christopher Kempczinski during the company's second-quarter earnings call in July, the new limited chain, titled "CosMc's," is set to unveil in limited locations in early 2024.

Seemingly capitalizing on nostalgia, a move that has proven fruitful for the chain in recent months, the restaurants will have theming inspired by an alien character named "CosMc" who appeared in McDonald's commercials and advertisements from 1986 to 1992.

However, one curious patron who stumbled across a yet-to-open location in Illinois may have managed to get the internet a quick sneak peek of what is to come.

Here's what we know so far about the galactic new venture.

The first glimpse of CosMc's came out of Bolingbrook, Illinois.
The first glimpse of CosMc's came out of Bolingbrook, Illinois.

CosMc announced: McDonald's has some new restaurants in its plans

What is CosMc's?

CosMc's is a new spinoff restaurant idea from McDonald's. Kempczinski described it as "a small format concept with all the DNA of McDonald’s but its own unique personality."

It seems the company plans to lean into the space-based, futurism-of-the-past aesthetic associated with CosMc's character from the late '80s and early '90s. McDonald's has had success with the nostalgia market lately, having rolled out adult Happy Meals last year before reintroducing the Hamburglar in April and Grimace in June with a special birthday meal and a purple shake.

When does CosMc's open?

The initial location in Bolingbrook, a town about 30 miles outside Chicago, will open this month. In an email, McDonald's told USA TODAY that eager fans can expect to see the doors open this week.

McDonald's plans to open approximately 10 CosMc’s pilot locations by the end of 2024.

CosMc's: McDonald's reveals locations for chain's new spinoff restaurant and menu

CosMc's locations

McDonald's had not revealed exact locations for the rest of the rollout beyond the inaugural Bolingbrook, Illinois store. According to the announcement, patrons in the Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metro areas can expect to see more locations popping up in the coming months.

Who is the character CosMc?

As previously reported by USA TODAY, CosMc hasn't appeared in the McDonald's universe in more than 30 years.

As previously described, a 1987 commercial called "The Story of CosMc," is available via the YouTube archives and includes Ronald McDonald and Grimace, who come across a strange object that's landed in McDonaldland. Hands and a head clad in a silver suit pop out and CosMc (pronounced Cosmic) appears, saying he "popped in from outer space on a trade mission."