McDonald's Expands Coffee Offensive

We linked to items in the past detailing McDonald's foray into the premium coffee market.

Apparently, the tests have gone well because now the chain says it will take its coffee concept to all 14,000 U.S. locations.

McDonald's Corp's plan to expand the beverage lineup at its U.S. restaurants with cappuccinos, lattes and other drinks is expected to add $1 billion to annual sales, a spokeswoman said on Monday.

The espresso-based drinks, which are currently in 800 of McDonald's nearly 14,000 U.S. locations, mark the newest effort by the world's No. 1 restaurant company to upgrade its coffee offerings and take on rival Starbucks Corp.

McDonald's has even added a “barista” position in its restaurants and dedicated a section of counter space to the automated espresso machines so customers can see the drinks being made, spokeswoman Danya Proud said. Those details were first reported Monday in the Wall Street Journal.