Free Soft Drink Refills: Which Chains Still Do This?
England banned sugary refills, but low-sugar and U.S. dine-in fountain refills still cut drink costs.
Free soft-drink refills still exist, but only in narrow cases. Five Guys UK and Nando's UK still refill low-sugar and zero-sugar fountain drinks, while McDonald's dine-in customers in the U.S. can still ask for a fountain-drink refill at the counter.
A free refill means a second pour from a fountain dispenser during the same store visit, not a bottled drink to take away. England prohibited free refills of sugar-sweetened drinks in restaurants, cafes, pubs and takeaways effective 1 October 2025, according to the UK Department of Health and Social Care in the implementation guidance.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 03, 2026.
What changed in England?
England treats a free sugary refill as a volume-price promotion in the out-of-home sector. The ban covers restaurants, cafes, pubs and takeaways. It applies to sugar-sweetened soft drinks, not to diet, zero-sugar or low-sugar versions.
For shoppers, the shelf rule is simple. A Classic cola refill is out. A Diet, Zero or low-sugar refill can stay.
Which UK chains still refill?
Nando's UK ended Bottomless Coca-Cola Classic because of its high sugar content. Customers can have one glass of Classic, while unlimited bottomless fizzy drinks continue for low-sugar choices, according to the Nando's Help Centre in this help article. Five Guys UK sells a Freestyle cup with more than 100 flavour combinations.
The cup can be refilled for the rest of the same-day store visit, while Drive Thru Freestyle drinks are not refillable, according to Five Guys UK in its FAQs. That same-day, in-store limit matters. A reader cannot buy one cup and refill it on another day.
Can you still get refills in the U.S.?
Yes, for dine-in fountain drinks at participating locations. McDonald's USA is phasing out self-service soda fountains by 2032, but dine-in customers can still request a free fountain-drink refill at the counter, with the final policy varying by independent franchisee, according to Taste of Home reporting in this article. The practical shift is who pours.
Fewer lobbies let customers pour their own drink. More locations require an ask at the counter. Franchise variation means a reader should check the sign at the counter or ask staff before assuming a refill.
How do you avoid paying twice?
Match the drink to the rule that still allows refills. The channel and recipe control the outcome: U.S. refills are generally dine-in, same-visit fountain drinks only, while in England sugary refills are banned but diet, zero-sugar and low-sugar refills remain allowed.
- Order for dine-in and stay in the same visit.
- Choose a fountain drink, not a bottle or drive-thru cup where refills are excluded.
- In England, pick Diet, Zero or another low-sugar option for a refill.
- At a franchised U.S. store, ask at the counter because the owner sets the final refill rule.