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As Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) attempts to move into the lunchtime sandwich business, McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) is exploring the possibility of offering a lineup of designer coffees. We've come across a couple of reports of test sites where the hamburger chain is offering real brewed lattes and cappuccinos, instead of the instant Ovaltine-like drinks that is its usual fare.The test locations even have a staff barista such as you would find at SBUX. The offerings extend to flavored shots and biscotti. The test of the McCafe (their name) products is currently under way in western Michigan, Greenville, N.C., Rochester N.Y. and Los Angeles.
This seems like a clash of cultures (indie vs. NASCAR) to me, or perhaps a sign that individually prepared coffee drinks now hold all the cachet of a Pop-Tart. Still, I sense an incongruity in ordering a bacon and cheese biscuit with my half-whip skim-milk cappuccino.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-19-2007 @ 6:55PM
Steve Drop said...
MCD is a place for family or more likely for kids. This is not a place for enjoying coffee and gathering for adults. Also MCD is not enough professional even though it has improvement.
2-19-2007 @ 6:55PM
dave said...
Indie vs Nascar? Starbucks is as indie My Chemical Romance..meaning, just because they once may have had 'indie cred' doesnt mean a lick since they traded it in for cashflow (which is totally fine by me, as long as you're honest about what your intentions). i typically bypass both since i dont usually like coffee and McDonalds food hurts.
2-19-2007 @ 6:56PM
Richard Adams said...
This has limited potential since MCD does 65%
of the business in drive-thru and things like custom made coffee only slow down service.
Some stores do even more than 65% for
breakfast.
However Starbucks has incredibly slow drivethru
service so they have limited volume potential. They will have to build thousands of drivethru Starbucks to make a dent in MCD.
2-19-2007 @ 6:56PM
Sheldon L said...
Starbucks is only a small part about coffee and a large part about atmosphere. I'm all for McDonald's improving it's coffee, but the red and yellow plastic everything, clowns, hard seats, bright lights, kids toys and more are not a place adults will gather for a cup of joe with a friend. If McDonalds want to compete with Starbucks they will need to create an upscale adult oasis.
2-21-2007 @ 7:42AM
Bruce said...
Did he seriously say half-whip skim milk cappuccino? Who gets that!?! Cappucinos are half steamed milk half foamed milk. No one in their right mind puts whip cream on top of a foamy cappuccino. That's just wrong. Foam and whip cream do not belong together in the same drink. Ever.