McDonald’s in coffee expansion
Fast food major McDonald’s yesterday unveiled ambitious plans to usurp Starbucks as Europe’s biggest coffee chain, and said it would open several hundred McCafé stores selling cakes and coffees this year. Although Starbucks has been putting the brakes on its expansion in Europe, McDonald’s hopes to increase the number of McCafé stores in Europe to 1,200. The stores, which have yet to reach British shores, are usually located in or next to existing McDonald’s outlets. The price of a cappucino undercuts Starbucks significantly, costing around £1.75 a cup compared to £2.35 at Starbucks.