McDonald's tests McCafés in southwest

OAK BROOK, Ill. — McDonald's Corp has announced that select restaurants in the southwestern U.S. region will get McCafé coffee shops prior to their national rollout, which is expected in the first half of 2009. Louisville, Ky.-area McDonald's restaurants were among the first to test the specialty coffee line. Several McDonald's owner-operators there are planning renovations to add coffee bars, which will serve cappuccinos, lattes, mochas and baked foods, according to a press release. McDonald's expanded its coffee and beverage options with the launch of its premium roast coffee in 2006. About 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. Every location throughout the U.S. that is able to will phase in a McCafé. McDonald's also is testing McCafé kiosks in airports and other locations outside the United States.