Ex-Taco Bell CEO Shades McDonald's New Drinks Like They’re Last Week’s Hot Fries
KEY POINTS
- •Greg Creed, former Taco Bell CEO, criticized McDonald's new Red Bull 'Dragonberry Energizer' drink on LinkedIn as unoriginal.
- •McDonald's plans a big beverage push with over 14,000 restaurants aiming to capture a $100 billion global market.
- •The chain unveiled the new energy drink for US stores on August 17 and also revamped vanilla-flavored Coke varieties.
Greg Creed, once Taco Bell’s marketing wizard behind the iconic ’Baja Blast’—a blue beast tied to Mexican vibes since 2004—decided to drag McDonald's new drink lineup into the deepest LinkedIn roasting session. Debuting August 17, McDonald's 'Dragonberry Energizer,' a partnership with Red Bull, screams 'any brand could’ve made this,' according to Creed. Meanwhile, the golden arches fancy a global $100 billion beverage bonanza, reshaping 'playful' Gen Z-friendly vibes with vanilla Coke tweaks. But Creed says Red Bull and Coke got the better deal while McDonald's drinks lack the zing that made Baja Blast unforgettable. Alyssa Buetikofer insists only McDonald's can serve this across 14,000 spots daily, though silent on Creed’s subtweets.
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(1 of 3)McDonald’s new drinks are basically Red Bull with a sad name. Meanwhile, Taco Bell’s Baja Blast still flexes like it owns the soda game.
Greg Creed just reminded McDonald’s that slapping Red Bull on a cup doesn’t count as creativity—try harder, golden arches.
If McDonald’s drinks were a fashion show, they’d be socks with sandals—safe, boring, and painfully forgettable.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 8/15/2026 | Author: Truman Dickerson
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