McDonald's Coffee Not on Par with Starbucks

By Maggie OLeary, published Jan 09, 2008
Published Content: 175  Total Views: 60,459  Favorited By: 30 CPs
Rating: 4.6 of 5
I worked for Starbucks for right at a year. I started out as a barista in December 2005, was asked to train for shift manager in March 2006, and became a learning coach in April 2006. I finished my training for shift manager in August 2006, but transferred to a new store a few states away, and my promotion was put on hold until a spot opened up. Before a spot could open up for me, I ended up getting recalled to active duty with my military reserve unit. I ended my employment with Starbucks just a few days shy of my one-year anniversary in December 2006.

At Starbucks, employees are given extensive training on Starbucks' coffee, including how it's grown and roasted. Employees are also given a "Coffee Passport." The goal is to taste each and every coffee offered, and write down observations about the aroma, body, acidity and flavor of each coffee. You can taste each coffee more than once and record each tasting, as your passport is not complete until each coffee has been tasted once. When I left Starbucks, I had finished one coffee passport, and was halfway through a second. So, as you can imagine, I know a LOT about Starbucks coffee.

When I heard that McDonald's had come out with a new espresso, and that they were testing it in the Kansas City market, I was intrigued. I also had read an article online that said Starbucks was running scared in the face of this new competition. When AC put out a call for a comparison between McDonald's new product, and Starbucks' old stand-by, I decided to drive in to Kansas City to see what all the fuss was about. So, I did.

I arrived in Kansas City early this morning, and stopped at a McDonald's and ordered a Café Mocha. Unlike Starbucks, there was no pastry choice offered that would pair well with the drink, so I had to taste the drink by itself. Since I left Starbucks, I have been drinking coffee from my local QuikTrip in the mornings. So, as you can imagine, upon first taste, the Café Mocha from McDonald's did not taste right. I gave my taste buds a couple of minutes to adjust, and tried again. The second and subsequent tastes of the drink were much better than the first.

McDonald's Coffee Not on Par with Starbucks
Date: January 8, 2008
Location:
Kansas City, MO  USA

My original Starbucks apron and pins, coffee passports, and some of my training materials. (Used with permission from M. O'Leary).

Credit: M. O'Leary

Copyright: M. O'Leary

Takeaways
  • McDonald's coffee has come a LONG way, and is actually pretty good now.
  • At Starbucks, you pay as much for the experience as you do for your drink.
  • I think the answer to our question lies in personal preferences.
Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
 
 
I would this would be the case for Starbucks, being a coffee house and all. Great article by the way!

Posted on 01/17/2008 at 4:01:06 PM

 
Yeah, I remember when McDonalds beat Starbucks in a taste test last year sometime. The funny thing is when that test was done Seattle's Best Coffee, the supplier for McDonalds, had already been bought by the Starbucks corporation. Starbucks still runs it as a subsidiary. So either way, Starbucks really wins. LOL. But the whole experience and the reason people go to fast food chains and coffee shops are totally different. Then again, at least here in Washington State, there are drive-through espresso stands everywhere and most Starbucks have drive-through windows, too.

Posted on 01/13/2008 at 2:01:14 PM

 
Wow, McD's is offering a decent coffee these days?! I have to admit, though, that I'm not a big fan of Starbucks, either. The coffee always tastes vaguely burnt to me for some reason. Good article!

Posted on 01/11/2008 at 2:01:42 PM

 
Good review. Several months back, regular McDonalds coffee actually beat out Starbucks in taste tests. I'm guessing that is what motivated them to focus more on coffee. Personally, I think it is a great move, as Starbucks, as good as it is, it successful at least in part due to masterful marketing. I think that is probably why McDonalds won out when people didn't know which coffee was McDonalds and which was Starbucks. Part of our enjoyment of things is psychological and I believe that is where Starbucks has done a good job beyond any other company. It will be intesting to see how this goes for McDonalds. I think it will definitely take time for them to get people as well trained as Starbucks employees are.

Posted on 01/09/2008 at 8:01:08 PM

 
good article. I love Starbuck and if I go there it's not only for the coffee but for the atmosphere too.

Posted on 01/09/2008 at 1:01:34 PM

 
I actually participated in a market research panel where I was paid to taste various coffees for Mickey D's. They do have the best coffee among the fast food chains but I agree Starbucks is still noticeably better. In this case, the old saw "you get what you pay for" may be true. I love espresso too. Give me a Doppio with an almond Biscotti and I'm in hog heaven. Nowadays I cool it with the dangerous drugs though:)

Posted on 01/09/2008 at 9:01:40 AM

 
I love coffee. The two biggest things that affect coffee outcome is the suppliers and coffee making practices. Of course you know that. McDonalds doesn't get as good a product as Star Buck. I've never had bad Star Buck coffee except in air ports. But I've definitely had better coffee. You shouldn't have quit when you got deployed, you would have had the right to get a manager slot when you came back.

Posted on 01/09/2008 at 9:01:15 AM

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