Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brady on December 31, 2008 at 12:39pm

I do give the edge to Starbucks here... though equally automated, their "cashistas" are at least somewhat trained, and not as prone to treat a "fancy" coffee order as an unwelcome anomaly.

Then there's that "4 bucks is dumb" ad... please don't get me started.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sarah Dooley on January 1, 2009 at 10:32pm

I havent had their lattes but the drip was recommended to me by someone I trust. He mentioned that the coffees were better then the drip served at Canlis Restaurant in Seattle. I thought that to be a pretty big "double dog dare" considering Starbucks has customized that blend for them and if my facts are correct it is also their coveted "holiday blend". So i tried it and after it cooled to a drinkable temperature it was pretty good. This particular friend gave me food for thought as well, his comment eluded towards the huge buying power Mc. D's has to get the best if they want to and don't be surprised if they get tools to complete it. I did like how the original release billboards looked like a cut and paste of my companies signature logo...i also really dig their cheezy commercials.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sarah on January 1, 2009 at 10:36pm

I think it's awesome. More people will be introduced to poorly crafted coffee drinks leading to more opportunities for true specialty shops who are treating coffee as a gourmet food item to shine. The proof is always in the cup -- I'd put my lattes against a McCafe latte any day of the week and be 100% confident that even a non-coffee drinker would put my latte over theirs. My shop also has information about where our coffee came from, bringing the customer closer to the true star, the coffee farmer. McDonalds doesn't have any of that, as far as I know, and if we did look at where their coffee was coming from, I don't think it would be a selling point.

So I do not see them as a threat or competition, I see them as a tool to bring awareness and attention to the coffee farmers, roasters and highly skilled baristas who dedicate their lives to making awesome coffee!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jason Dominy on January 2, 2009 at 7:32am

Nice! You go girl!

Sarah said:

I think it's awesome. More people will be introduced to poorly crafted coffee drinks leading to more opportunities for true specialty shops who are treating coffee as a gourmet food item to shine. The proof is always in the cup -- I'd put my lattes against a McCafe latte any day of the week and be 100% confident that even a non-coffee drinker would put my latte over theirs. My shop also has information about where our coffee came from, bringing the customer closer to the true star, the coffee farmer. McDonalds doesn't have any of that, as far as I know, and if we did look at where their coffee was coming from, I don't think it would be a selling point.

So I do not see them as a threat or competition, I see them as a tool to bring awareness and attention to the coffee farmers, roasters and highly skilled baristas who dedicate their lives to making awesome coffee!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Scott Bruggman on January 7, 2009 at 2:41pm

I agree with a lot of you. Any person being introduced to the Specialty Coffee industry is better than that person not being introduced to lattes, cappuccinos, and mochas. Everyone who goes in to MC D's will get introduced to something they probably never purchased before. Once they come into our shops they will see how good real baristas can make those drinks. It is potential for a whole new clientele that would have never came in to our cafes if it wasn't for the Mc Latte.
I do think those commercials are pretty funny too.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bre on January 7, 2009 at 6:31pm

honestly i don't think it really McMatters.
Pretty sure most will understand that its not the same,
and
If people can't see the difference then I think that it is our job to educate people on what makes coffee so wonderful by sharing our passion, knowledge, and skill with them.
We don't just make coffee for people, or at least I should hope that we don't "just make coffee".
By holding quality so high in our heads and hearts, and the spirit of sharing, it should be quite easy for people to be able to decipher the difference from "Joe the McBarista(ish)" to your trained and educated barista.
I don't consider it a huge issue. If McDonalds wants to tell people that they are speciality coffee, then fine.
Its up to us to make sure the customer knows what specialty coffee really is.

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page