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McDonald’s experiments with McCafe social hour, seasoned fries

May 13, 2014

A number of McDonald’s restaurants are currently testing seasoned French fries and Horchata Frappe blended ice drinks. 

Customers in Southern California can now order the new Horchata Frappe blended-ice drink, made with vanilla, a hint of cinnamon and coffee, and topped with whip cream and caramel drizzle.

"The addition of Horchata Frappes to the menu reinforces McDonald's as a one-stop destination for a variety of great tasting quality beverages at a convenience and value that only McDonald's can offer," Clay Paschen III, McDonald's owner/operator and president of the McDonald's Operators' Association of Southern California, said in a news release.

To celebrate the launch of the new Horchata Frappe, restaurants in Southern California are introducing the McCafe Social Hour. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., customers can buy one McCafe beverage and get a second one free.

Additionally, Northern California McDonald’s locations in the greater Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto markets, have introduced new Shakin’ Flavor Fries.

Shakin’ Flavor Fries allow guests to customize McDonald’s fries with one of three seasoning flavors: Garlic Parmesan, Spicy Buffalo or Zesty Ranch. According to a news release, upon ordering Shakin’ Flavor Fries, guests will receive an additional Fry Bag and seasoning packet of their chosen flavor. Customers can then tear open the packet, pour in the seasoning and fries into the Fry Bag and shake up the flavor. The company calls the new offering a “fun and interactive taste experience.”

“This is an exciting time for McDonald’s in Northern California, as our customers get to be one of the first in the entire nation as part of a test to experience Shakin’ Flavor Fries,” local McDonald’s restaurant owner Steve Ramirez said. “This has been such a huge hit in the Asia markets, so we lobbied to bring this to the Sacramento market specifically so our guests could enjoy customizing their French fries in a brand new, fun way.”

Shakin’ Flavor Fries will also be available in the St. Louis Region.

For the past decade, the offering has been a customer favorite at McDonald’s restaurants in Asia. The menu item came from seasoned fries in Asia known as Shake Shake, which first debuted in 2005 in Hong Kong before spreading into other countries including China, India and Australia.

To celebrate the arrival of Shakin’ Flavor Fries, the Sacramento market will host a Launch Party on May 17 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the McDonald’s restaurant located at 1721 Howe Ave. near Arden Fair Mall. The party will feature a Shakin’ Flavor Food Truck passing out free samples, as well as a DJ, photo booth, games and activities and performances by local break dance crews.

Beginning on May 15, the Shakin’ Flavor Food Truck will be touring the Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto areas over a five-day period to hand out free samples of Shakin’ Flavor Fries. Dates, times and locations of the food truck will be announced via Twitter at @mcd_norcal.