Coffee has been an important part of fast food breakfast options. Coffee was a major item in Dunkin’ Donut when it first opened, and has remained so ever since. In 1999 the company proclaimed that it had just sold its 8 billionth cup of coffee since opening its doors in 1950.
Starbucks introduced premium coffee and with its drive-through window was beginning to look a lot more like a fast food restaurant. Dunkin’ Donuts seeing the profits in specialty coffee began to offer it own version, which was very successful.
Dunkin’ Donuts was the largest seller in America of regular, non-flavored, brewed coffee through fast food outlets.
MacDonald’s jumped on the coffee bandwagon and other fast food chains began to do the same.
McDonald’s jumped into the upscale coffee business by expanding its McCafe, a concept that had been developed in Australia in 1993. These were a separate area within McDonald’s restaurant with their own counters that sells pastries, premium coffee, mocha frappes and cappuccinos.
In 2006, McDonald’s changed its drip coffee to a stronger blend and began marketing it as ‘premium’ roast – which Consumer Reports rated ‘better’ than Starbucks.
Coffee in fast food restaurants
