FollowThe U.S retail coffee market is estimated to value more than $11 billion. The American adult spends $21.32 on coffee per year, according to data from Statista. The numbers convinced McDonald’s to finally plan an entrance to the market. The fast-food giant teamed with Kraft Foods to offer McDonald’s McCafe coffee pack starting with 2015. The product will come in three different forms, ground, whole-bean and single cup.
“We think this will increase the awareness of the McCafé brand beyond its current in-restaurant strength and that will encourage more people to try it. I think it allows us to tap into that very large base of coffee drinkers who now make their coffee at home. This will give us access to them as well,” Greg Watson, SVP, McDonald’s U.S. Menu Innovation told BurgerBusiness.com. Watson is very content with the alliance between McDonald’s and Kraft Foods, as the latter company possesses rich experience in coffee production and distribution.
The McDonald’s McCafe is already available in Canada since November 2012 and the fast-food chain started selling it in the U.S. in a couple of locations as a test earlier this year. McDonald’s predicts a sales boost in its restaurants as well as a result of the increased brand awareness.
If you enjoy McDonald’s coffee, you will be able to brew your own at home and drink it out of the new smart drinking cup, which offers various indicators related to your drinking habits.
McCafe coffee pack will cost $7.29 in supermarkets
The final package design is a result of thorough market tests. McDonald’s McCafe will be sold in large variety of choices. From 2015 you will be able to buy ground McCafe in packs of Premium Roast, Breakfast Blend, French Roast, Colombian, Premium Roast Decaf and French Vanilla and Hazelnut plus a French Roast Whole Bean. The 12-oz. bags will be sold for $7.29.
Pod coffee will be available as well in three varieties – Premium Roast, French Roast and Premium Roast Decaf. The Premium Roast variety is available in McDonald’s restaurants. So far, according to the initial tests, the McCafe supermarket sales did not affect the restaurant coffee sales, BurgerBusiness reports.
For starters, the McCafe coffee pack will only be available in supermarkets, groceries and other retail points. Unlike Starbucks, McDonald’s will not sell the ground coffee in its restaurants. The fast-food giant will probably adapt to accommodate such a market demand if that will be the case.
