Imagine a world where your spare change jingle no longer includes those shiny one-cent coins – a reality that's creeping up on us faster than you might think. The penny, once a staple in our pockets and registers, seems to be fading away, leaving everyday shoppers and businesses scrambling to adapt. But here's the twist: how will this tiny coin's demise reshape the way we handle our daily transactions? Stick around, because we're diving deep into what major retailers are planning, and trust me, it's sparking some heated debates about money, convenience, and fairness in America.
Last updated: November 12, 2025 / 6:29 PM EST / CBS News
It looks like the penny's lucky streak has finally come to an end. The U.S. Mint in Philadelphia minted its very last circulating penny on Wednesday, following a directive from President Trump earlier this year. He instructed the Treasury Department to halt the production of new one-cent coins, pointing to the ballooning costs of making them – costs that now exceed the coin's face value, making the whole process seem like a financial drain.
For beginners wondering why this matters, think about it: Producing a penny costs more than a penny to create, which is a classic case of inefficiency in government operations. This decision wasn't made lightly; it's a step toward streamlining our currency system, but it raises questions about how everyday purchases will work without these coins in circulation.
So, what happens when stores run low on change? We reached out to giants like McDonald's, Wendy's, Kroger, and others to find out their strategies. And this is where it gets interesting – some are rounding prices, others are encouraging exact payments, and a few are even turning pennies into perks. But here's where it might get controversial: Is ditching the penny really saving money, or is it just shifting the burden to consumers? Let's explore the responses from these big players.
Starting with McDonald's, the fast-food giant shared with CBS News that in certain outlets, cash-paying patrons might not get back exact change anymore due to the scarcity of pennies. The chain is switching to rounding transactions to the nearest five cents for cash buys. To put it simply, if your bill is $10.22, you'll pay $10.20; if it's $10.23, it'll round up to $10.25. This keeps things fair and flowing, but it means you might end up paying a tad more or less depending on the cents. Importantly, digital and card payments aren't affected, so no worries if you're tapping your app.
Over at GoTo Foods, the Georgia-based company behind brands like Auntie Anne's, Cinnabon, Jamba, and Carvel, they advised their franchise owners to round cash dealings in favor of the customer. This gentle approach ensures shoppers don't get shortchanged, aligning with a customer-first mentality.
Wendy's is on a similar page, informing CBS News that they've instructed their eateries to round cash payments down to the nearest nickel when pennies are in short supply. It's a practical fix to keep lines moving, and again, online orders and cards stay untouched.
Kroger, the supermarket chain, takes a different tactic. They told us they politely urge cash users to provide exact change, and they'll keep accepting pennies as tender. It's a nod to tradition, but you can imagine how frustrating it might be if you're stuck without the right coins.
Midwestern convenience stalwart Kwik Trip is rounding cash buys down to the nearest five cents to combat the shortage – a straightforward solution that mirrors some of the others we've seen.
Giant Eagle, based in Pennsylvania, went above and beyond with a clever one-day promotion, as reported by CBS News Pittsburgh. Shoppers could trade in their pennies for gift cards valued at double the coins' worth, helping the store stockpile pennies to offer precise change to cash buyers. The company called it a way to uphold accuracy and equity while waiting for official federal guidelines on rounding. It's a creative bridge, but one has to wonder: Is this just a band-aid on a bigger issue?
Finally, Sheetz, the convenience store chain, is pushing for cashless options. Yet, in a fun twist, one location ran a deal where bringing in a dollar's worth of pennies earned you a free beverage. It's a lighthearted incentive to clear out those jars of change, but it highlights the shift toward digital wallets.
As we wrap this up, the end of the penny era is forcing businesses to innovate – rounding totals, promoting exact payments, or even gamifying change exchange. But here's the part most people miss: Does this simplification benefit everyone, or does it disadvantage those who rely on cash, like low-income families who might accumulate those pennies intentionally? And this is where it gets truly controversial – some argue it's a smart economic move to eliminate waste, while others see it as eroding the value of small denominations and potentially widening the gap between cash and card users. What do you think: Is phasing out the penny a progressive step forward, or a sneaky way to favor the digital divide? Share your thoughts in the comments below – do you agree with rounding, or should we fight to keep the penny alive? Your opinions could spark a real debate!
Edited by Melissa Gaffney
In:
* United States Department of the Treasury
* Money
* United States Mint
