McDonald’s May Steam Up Coffee Market

Biz Journals

Fast-food giant McDonald’s Corp. is placing an order on the specialty coffee market — starting in Kansas City.

McDonald’s began testing specialty coffee drinks, such as lattes and mochas, in 134 metro-area locations on Oct. 22. The test will last several months so the company can get feedback and make changes before rolling out the drinks systemwide, said Randy Bates, director of marketing for McDonald’s Heartland Region.

U.S. consumers spend $60 billion a year on beverages, and McDonald’s wanted a bigger piece of it, said Art Phillips, a McDonald’s franchisee with 10 area restaurants.