The McDonald's McCafé espresso-based coffee line has been a hit in the United States. In Europe, the McCafé concept is an actual coffeehouse. And if McDonald's has its way, its goal is to become the No. 1 coffee chain on the continent, according to a story in BusinessWeek. The chain plans to open 200 cafes in Europe this year, bringing its total to 1,100. Starbucks has almost 1,200 stores in the region.
From BusinessWeek:
McDonald's is rushing to grab market share where Starbucks has hesitated. While Starbucks continues to avoid Italy, for instance, McDonald's opened its first Italian McCafé in Milan in 2005. Today it has 65 of them across the country. And McDonald's is undercutting Starbucks on price. At McCafés in Paris, an espresso costs $2.50, vs. $2.80 at Starbucks.That's not to say you'll find McCafés everywhere. In Britain, where Starbucks has 700-plus stores, McDonald's has no plans for McCafés.
