McDonald's vs. Starbucks: Big Macaccino, Anyone?
McDonald's has announced its entrance into the coffee specialty drinks wars. According to the Wall Street Journal, "McDonald's is setting out to poach Starbucks customers with the biggest addition to its menu in 30 years. Starting this year, the company's nearly 14,000 U.S. locations will install coffee bars with "baristas" serving cappuccinos, lattes, mochas and the Frappe, similar to Starbucks' ice-blended Frappuccino."
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
16 Comments:
Now I know how the people of Tokyo felt watching Gozilla fight Mothra.
AJ1280 at 3:16PM on 01/07/08
McDonald's has already had this for years in countries where every Mom and Pop corner café has a real Italian espresso machine.
It will be interesting to see how they do in the USA where the competition is so grossly lopsided (ie. Starbucks and a few other also-rans) and the fast-food market is so inundated with powdered-mix "gas station cappuccino."
rheogs at 3:30PM on 01/07/08
Will it be available at the drive through??????
PerkyMac at 3:32PM on 01/07/08
Yuck. I could be wrong, but I think that Starbucks just puts COFFEE in their coffee and pretty other straight ingredients in their mixed drinks. McDonald's on the other hand can't even serve straight black coffee without adding in various other suspect ingredients. I wouldn't drink a McDonald's latte in a million years, although I do patronize Starbucks, when I am out of range of my local coffee shop. At least what they serve tastes good and is consistent.
waterreflecting at 3:54PM on 01/07/08
Just one more way to spread themselves too thin and complete their mastery of poor service...
Cary at 4:55PM on 01/07/08
What does McDonald's add to straight black coffee?
ccbweb at 6:51PM on 01/07/08
Their iced coffees come in vanilla, hazelnut, or "plain" (sweetened) flavors, all with lots of dairy added. I don't think it's possible to get a black, unsweetened iced coffee there.
When I was in Australia five years ago, I definitely noticed the McCafes everywhere (though I never tried their products), all serving espresso drinks and other coffee shop specialties. I'm surprised it's taken this long for it to get started in the US.
ChristineB at 7:49PM on 01/07/08
Just what this country needs, more places to buy designer coffee. Can't wait to see what Wendy's and Burger King come up with.
RichardCrystal at 9:24AM on 01/08/08
I tried the McDonald's iced coffees when they were giving them away for free in the summer. They were disgusting. I can only imagine they're using the worst quality beans possible, then trying to cover it up with a myriad of additives. I will not be purchasing their coffee bar wares.
caprafan at 12:47PM on 01/08/08
Just what this country needs, more places to buy designer coffee. Can't wait to see what Wendy's and Burger King come up with.
RichardCrystal at 9:24AM on 01/08/08
Wendy's will be served in a square cup with sugar cubes made to look like a girl with red braids sticking out.
Burger King's will be available in a 2-liter size and will be accompanied by a toy.
Karen Resta at 1:16PM on 01/08/08
LOL..Thank you, Karen!!
RichardCrystal at 2:07PM on 01/08/08
Wonder if McFrappe will separate into those cool layers (water, oil, white stuff) like a McFlurry.
beth1 at 12:17AM on 01/09/08
Good question, beth1. :)
You can perform the same science experiment on some Starbucks drinks and have the same results.
I often do this because after four sips I can't stand the stuff.
Karen Resta at 8:03AM on 01/09/08
I'm no apologist for Starbucks frozen Frappucino drinks but if you try to make frozen coffee drinks at home you'll find out how quickly the components separate. Granted... it's different as you won't see an oil layer but the only way I get my simple sugar, concentrated coffee and milk liquid base to hold together with the ice for more than a few sips is to add food grade carageenan in very small quantities. It's the drinks that don't separate that should REALLY have you worried.
And guess what? Starbucks now serves iced coffee that is already "lightly pre-sweetened". Yuck.
phaelon56 at 12:59PM on 06/10/08
umm the iced coffee that you are talking about has classic syrup in it...
and i don't care if you get your coffee at a mom and pop place ar McDonalds, I ♥ Starbucks and it's just quality coffee...how much you wanna bet McDonald's coffee is Folgers coffee...Ü
ktpunya at 4:14PM on 07/09/08
True Story. Starbucks cappaccinos suck. True Story.
bagel at 2:20PM on 05/27/09